Analytical Chemistry
J. G. Dick, Sir George Williams University. McGraw-Hill Book Company, New + 696 pp. Figs. and tables. 23.5 X 17 em. $13.95.
York, 1973. viii
One of the most difficult challenges to teaching analytical chemistry is to convince students to think in terms of equilibria and to reason through analytical problems. They must learn to solve problems by these methods and not by memorization of specific solutions to prohlems or of certain formulas which they then plug into without really understanding the ehemistry and csleulatians involved. A good quantitative analysis textbook should support this approach to teaching and learning by encouraging the student to think, not memorize. Unfortunately, Professor Dick's textbook falls short of this goal. The book covers essentially the same material as Fischer and Peters, "Quantitative Chemical Analysis," and Skoog and West, "Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry," and follows a similar format, hut as this review indicates, does not present this material as clearly as either of these texts, nor in a form that is as easy to use. Chapter 4, "Chemical Equilibria" (123 pp.) represents the major shortcomings of this hook. With the present widespread use of thermodynamics in introductory ehemistry courses, it seems rather incongruous for an analytical text to introduce the concept of chemical equilibrium and not relate it to free energy until the Nernst equation is introduced 90 pages later. The discussion of standard states is vague, and only a brief coverage of activity and activity coefficients is given. This reviewer's principal negative criticism rests with the plethora of plug-in formulas which Dick gives for solving the various kinds of equilibrium problems encountered in quantitative analysis. These are generalized formulas with multistep rules for determining when they should be used. The formulas and their complexity make this a very difficult chapter to comprehend and would seriously frustrate the student's attempts to understand the concepts of chemical equilibrium. The author's emphasis seems to be on the memorization of the formulas and rules in order to solve equilibrium problems. Chapter 5 discusses generalized formulas for the calculation of titration curves. Again, specific rules are given, and the equations are further complicated by the use of ratios of the coefficients of the reacting species. I t is unfortunate that the author manages to complicate the theory and calculations of these very important sections. He does not encourage the student to reason through what equilibria are significant a t the various stages of a titration. However, chapter 5 does contain a good coverage of the theory of titration curves. Subsequent chapters, presented in essentially the traditional format, consider neutralization, precipitation, complexation, and oxidation-reduction equilibria. Sample calculations of titration curves are given, the resultant curve is graphed, and transition ranges of various indicators are A344
/ Journal of Chemical Education
superimposed on the curve. Without rationale Dick waits until Chapter 11 to discuss gravimetric theory and procedures. Chapters 12-14 are concerned with electrochemical and ahsorptiometric methods of separation. The coverage roughly parallels other texts in these areas hut is quite detailed and well-presented. These appear to be the strongest chapters of the hook. All laboratory experiments are grouped together in Chapter 15. This has the advantage of placing all of the experiments in one section of the hook, but does require additional page turning to review the theory of each experiment. Each chapter contains sample problems worked out according to the rules and formulas, and study problems, some with answers, which vary in scope and degree of difficulty. The appendices include a table of standard reduction potentials listed alphabetically. The more useful listing, in terms of decreasing magnitude of potentials, is not included in the hook. Many of the references listed a t the end of each chapter are to other quant texts. No reference is more current than 1969; many are out of date, notably W. Bottger, "Newer Methods of Volumetric Analysis,'' 1938. There are some 30 references to the journal literature given as footnotes throughout the hook, only two of which are more current than 1960. Charles Templetan Whitman College Waila Walla, Washingion 99362 J.
Acid-Base Titrations In Nonaqueour Solvents
James S. Fritz. Iowa State University. Allyn and Bacon, Inc., Boston, 1973. x 142 pp. Figs. and tables. 21.5 X 14 cm. $5.50.
+
This hook provides a fundamental introduction to aeid-base titratious in nonaqueous solvents. Professor Fritz states "the purpose of this book is to make available in a single source the essential theory, principles, and practical applications of nonaqueous acid-base titrations." These stated purposes are well accomplished. This book will be useful to both the practicing chemist needing such information, as well as graduate and undergraduate students. A single course might easily be designed with this book as the nucleus. It is likely, however, that auxiliary material would he required particularly with regard to theory. The hook is divided into eight chapters 1) Introduction and Overview-titration of acids and hsses in general. 2) Acid-Base Behavior in Nonaqueous Salvents-acids, bases, and solvents are classified and certain popular solvents of specific classes are discussed. 3) Salvents-selecting a solvent, significance of various general properties such as autoprotolysis constant, and specific properties of some popular solvents. 4) Titrants-both acidic and basic. 5) Endpoint Detection-potentiometric, conductometric, spectrophotometric, thermometric methods, and electrode systems.
6) Titration of Bases-total base and mixture analysis. 7) Titration of Acids-the analysis of moderate strength to very weak acids, acid mixtures, and coulometric titrations. 8) Laboratory Procedures-Eleven practical applications are presented in a mannei in which they can he readily implemented. Since this chapter is very specific it may be of only little utility to the practicing analyst unless he has need for one of the 11 experiments. The examples utilized are well chosen; they represent some of the most useful nonaqueous acid-base titrations. The hook is well documented with the most important references cited. Also a useful feature is the problems included at the ends of the chapters, particularly so if the book is to be used as a text. All in all this is a well-timed and useful addition to the nonaqueous solvent literature. J O S B P ~A. Caruso University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio 45221
Immobilized Enzymes
0. R. Zoborsky. Esso Research and Engineering Company. CRC Press, 18901 Cranwood Parkway, Cleveland, Ohio 44128. 1973. 175 pp. Figs. and tables. 20 x 27 cm. $26.50. The subject of immobilized enzymes has recently received a great deal of attention from scientists of varied disciplines. This hook is intended to be a fairly comprehensive treatise on this topic, and the author attempts to present a rather complete summary of the state-of-the-art. He makes the claim that "every article up to and including December 1971 bas been incorporated" in some manner into the text. After a brief introduction, the author devotes chapters to the following topics: Covalent Attachment to Water-Insoluble Functionalized Polymers; Properties of Covalently Bonded Water-Insoluble EnzymePolymer Conjugates; Intermolecular Cmslinking Using Multifunctional Reagents; Adsorption; Entrapment within Crosslinked Polymers; Microeneapsulation; Containment within Semipermeable Membrane Devices; and Enzyme Reactors. He then finishes the text by devoting chapters to applications and related topics. The book is rather method-oriented, and should give anyone interested in the area a good introduction. The author lists all of the enzymes whieh have been studied by these methods up to the end of 1971. The text has 482 literature references plus Lists of government publications and patents. It will be a useful addition to any academic or institutional library. The only negative comment this reviewer has is that the rather prohibitive cost of $26.50 for 173 pages of text will put it out of reach of mast individuals who wish to add it to their personal library. C. L. Borders, Jr. The College of Wooster Wooster, Ohio 44691
