infrared and Raman Spectra ol Inorganic and Coordination Compounds
Kozuo Nakarnoto. Marquette University. John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1978. xv 448 pp. Figs. & tables. 23.5 X 15.5 cm. $24.50.
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It has been fifteen years since the first edition (reviewed in J. CHEM. EDUC., 40, 501 (19fi3)) of Professor Nakamato's book appeared. Since then, it has become the reference for information on vibralional spectra of inorganic and coordination compounds and an entrCe to the original literature. This edition is bigger and better and continues the updating which began with the second edition (reviewed in J . Chem. Educ., 48, A419 (1971)). T o the old title has been added "and Raman," and much of the new information in the book is due to the widespread application of Raman spectroscopy in inorganic chemistry. Many new data also came from spectra of molecules isolated in inert gas matrices. The result is a text one third longer than the previous edition but still not a t all unwieldy. While the price has increased by two thirds aver the second,edition, considering inflation it is a bargain. The first part un the theory of vibrational spectra has been expanded by the addition of material on classical Raman theory as well as a discussion of the resonance Raman effect. Malrix isolation techniques also are discussed. The data in the second part dealing with relatively simple molecules up to twelve atoms have grown greatly. For example, the
given with an increase of only nineteen pages. Literature references are largely the work of the last decade. The third oart on coordination comoounds much new work is incorporated, many references from the older editions have been replaced by recent ones with better quality data. A new part has been added surveying organometallic compounds which contains some of the material from Professor Nakamoto's chapter in "Characterization of Organometallic Compounds," val. 26 of "Chemical Analysis," P. J. Elving and I. M. Kolthoff, Editors, Interscience, 1969. It has been updated, and it makes a valuable addition to the book. The only disappointing aspect in the entire hook is the disappearance of the extremely useful compound index of the first two editions. Presumably this was abandoned because of the large increase in the number of compounds, but it is not the first time that revision of a Wiley text has led to the demise of a good index. It may take a little longer to find things, but no one involved in the rharacterization of inorganic, organometallic, or coordination compounds should try to work without access to this book. R. Stuart Tobias Purdue University West Lalayette. Indiana 47907
Volume 56, Number 5, May 1979 1 A209
