Infrared absorption spectroscopy. Second edition (Nakanishi, Koji

Infrared absorption spectroscopy. Second edition (Nakanishi, Koji). Joseph W. Nibler. J. Chem. Educ. , 1978, 55 (8), p A316. DOI: 10.1021/ed055pA316.1...
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the first edition probably need not purchase the second edition. Joseph W. Nibler o m p n State University cwvallh. 9733 1

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topical material does occur hut it is not excessive. Occasionallv it moved necessarv to use the suhiect index Loeate a oartie;la~ ~~-~ ~~~-~ subtopic, h i t the index seemed adequate. Although not exhaustive as to areas in which gas chromatography finds use, the four applications chapters focus upon significant areas. Physical chemists will he interested in the topics treated in the chapter on physicochemical measurements, such as specific surface area, complex formation, thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, virial coefficients, and transport properties. Detailed directions for laboratory work appear in two of the chapters (clinical analysis and trace analysis). There are no numerical nroblems in this wxt whrrh might drtrart from its use a.i a elnsarumn t e r t l ~ w k .Hwvever, the authors' stated a m has hem attained and they have produced a thorough presentation of gas chromatography technique and an in-depth discussion of the individual comoonents that comprise the commercial chromatograph

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positions and the nature of the promotional ladders, both the administrative and the professional route. This area could have been explored during the "job interview" by having the interviewer describe them to the student applicant. However, the hook overall aecomplishes its purpose. John A. Dean

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John A. Dean

University of Tennessee at Knomiile Knoxville, Tennersse 37916

Inlrared Absorption Spectroscopy. Second Edltlon Koji Nakanishi, Columbia University, and Philippa H. Solomon. Douglass College, Rutgers University, New Jersey. Holden-Day, Incorporated, San Francisco, 1971. x 287 pp. Figs. and tables. 11.5 X 25 em. $10.95.

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This paperback can be recommended as a useful reference and problem book for organic chemists and others who make extensive use of infrared spectroscopy in the characterization of comnounds. As in the first edmon, there IS a brtef introductory chapter on the infrared spectrum, fdluwed by an extenrlve tahulatim of rharacterlst~cgroup frequencies which have been updated with only modest changes. Two short chapters discuss factors which influence band positions and intensities and a new chapter has been added on Raman spectroscopy. The discussion and examples presented in the Latter chapter are confined to 18 pages but these illustrate the increasingly important role that Raman spectroscopy is playing in structural studies. The remaining two thirds of the hook consists of 100 spectral interpretation oroblems which are based orimarilv on mfrarid spectra although nmr and uv in?ormation is uccaximally prov~ded. These problems are well chosen and solutions are given in reasonahle detail so that the h w k can serve as a self-study text forstudents. I t will also find application as a source of exercises for u m e r division and eraduate courses dealing wiil; spectral idem ifkation of organic compoundr.The prim is a little high for asoft cuver book and thuse with usable copies of A316 I Journal of Chemical Education

University of Tennessee Knoxville. Tennessee 37916

Chromatography: An Adventure In Graduate School Guy Alexander. American Chemical Society, Washington, 1977. 165 pp. Figs. and tables. 12 X 20.5 cm. $7.50-cloth, $4.50-paper. This modest little pocket-size book is an autobiographical account of what graduate school was all about. The place was the University of Wisconsin (Madison) during the periods 1942-44 and 1946-47. Ion-exchange chromatography was the author's research topic, and a general discussion of the subject of chromatography is the medium for this insider's view. The book, a volume in the "Chemistry in Action Series" published by the American Chemical Society, is written for young students who wonder what a career in science is really like. I t is also written for those who think they would like to go to graduate school and are wondering what kinds of things life as a graduate student brings. Finally, it was written for those who have heard about chromatography and wonder just what is chromatography. T o include current relevance concerning the science of chromatography, the story is partially fictionalized as if our knowledge today were known 30 years ago. Has the author accomplished his goals? The answer is yes in general. The theory of chromatography is charmingly developed, initially through the medium of a graduate seminar. lucidlv oresented with exoerimental demonstrations cleverly interwoven throughout the presentation. As an introductory treatment on chromatography, this hook could he recommended to interested honors' freshmen and undergraduate chemistry majors for an outside reading assignment. Althaueh the book mirrors rather faithfullv the Ilfeofa young marrled gradu~reatudenr 30 yearn ago, times havechanged 'I'hegruwrh in supported research leads today to many more research fellowshipa as opposed to mainly teaching fellowships. A student holding a research assistantship will not he treated in a laissez-faire manner so hiehlv lauded hy the author. l n t r a d tuday'u student will ire expruwd t u work steadily each week so that his research director can show re search results to meet contract expectations. Although allusion was made to the gnawing anxiety concerning qualifying and eomprehensive (or cumulative) examinations, this asoeet of eraduate studv in the earl". wars might have recewed mwe e m p h ~ s ~Appars. ently the system used then at Wisconsin differs somewhat from the system eucountered by this reviewer who passed through a doctoral . program during the same time pe. riod. Perhaos the weakest Dart of this book centers around the first avowed aim. What will confront young students runtemplating a career in chemistry 8s discussed too brirtly to paint a clear picture of the many industrial

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Wen Volumer in Continuing Series

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The following tilles are lhose of uolumes in continuing series. Many of these series ale familiar to readers who are best sewed by prompt announcement of the appearance of the new titles The policy OJ T H I S JOURNAL wdl be to publish full reviews only of tnauguml volumes in new series. Annual Reports In lnorganlc and General Syntheses, 1974 Edited by Kurt Niedenzu, University of Kentucky, and Hans Zimmer, University of Cincinnati. Academic Press, New York, 1975. xvii 369 pp. Figs. and tables. 25 X 17 cm. $13.50.

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Stereochemistry I, Toplcs In Current Chemistry, 47 Edited by A. Dauison, M. J. S. Dewar, K. Hafner, E. Heilbronner, U. Hofmann, J. M. Lehn, K. Niedenzu, Kl. Sehafer, G. Wittig, and F. Boschke. Springer-Verlag, New York, Berlin, 1974. 156 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 24 cm. $23.80.

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Contributors: K. Mislow, D. Gust, P. Pinoechiaro,R. J. Boettcher, H. H. Brewter,H. H. Wasserman, G. C. Clark, and P. C. Turley. Stereochemlstry 11, Toplcr In Current Chemlstry, 48 Edited hy A. Dauison, M. J. S. Dewor, K. Hofner, E. Heilbronner, U. Hofmann, J. M. Lehn, K. Niedenzu, Kl. Schafer, G. Wittig, and F. Boschke. Springer-Verlag, New York, Berlin, 1974. 129 pp. Figs. and tables. 24 X 16 cm. $19.70.

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Contributors: J. Gssteiger, P. Gillespie, D. Marquarding, I. Ugi, B. Vennesland, F. Vogtie, and P. Neumann. Photochemldry, Toplcs In Current Chemlstry, 46 Edited by A. Douison, M J. S. Dewor, K. Hafner, E Heilbronner, U.Hofmann, J. M. Lehn, K. Niedenzu, Kl. Sehafer, G. Wittig, and F. Boschke. Springer-Verlag, New York, Berlin, 1974. 236 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 24 cm. $27.90.

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~ontribLltors: J. Miehl, K.-D. Gundermann, W. C. Herndon, W.-D. Stohrer, P. Jacobs, K. H. Kaiser, G. Wiech, and G. Quinkert.