lntroduction t o Chemical Analysis Robert D. Braun, McGraw-Hill Book Company. New York. NY. 1982. xiv 462 pp. Figs. and tables. 19 X 24 cm.
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The author states in the Preface of the hook: "Since many colleges and universities do not have enough chemistry majors for a separate, first analytical chemistry course, this text is designed to be useful in a terminal course for "on-chemistry majors as well as in the first course for chemistry majors." This reviewer believes that the author has quite adequately attained the objective for nonchemistry majors hut that there would be some limitations and problems in using the book for a quantitative analysis course for chemistr); majors. For non-chemistry majors, there is a brief hut adequate treatment of classical quantitative analysis. The standard topics of chemical equilibria, solubility, gravimetric analysis, acid, bases, buffers, and volumetric analysis are discussed. Problems are solved using the dimensional analysis approach. A gMd discussion of errors in analysis, sampling techniques, and the statistical treatment of data follows the chapters on classical analytical chemistry. For chemistry majors the treatment of classical quantitative analysis is too brief and limited. Solving problems using dimensional analysis is probably sufficient for the nonchemistry major, but many analytical chemists, teaching the quantitative analysis course, would prefer to use and to have the method of problem solving using normality and equivalent weights, a t least, presented in the book. Student.. have a tendency to use dimensional snalvsis hv rote and ddnot use and consequently do not understand the simple concepts involved in the problem. In gravimetric analysis, the concept of gravimetric factor is not discussed or used. Balancing of oxidation-reduction equations is performed using only the half-reaction method and alternate methods of halancing these equations are not developed. Oxidizing and reducing agent.. and their applications are only listed in tables with little discussion. ~
Over half of the book is devoted t o a thorough treatment of the methods of instrumental analysis commonly used in a beginning course and is quite satisfactory for teaching both non-chemistry and chemistry majors. Infrared spedrophotometry, Raman soectroohotometrv. nuclear maenetic reso-
a senior instrumental analysis course. The instrumental analysis portion of the book begins with an excellent and novel chapter whieh describes the major methods for determinine the samole concentration molecular spectroscopy, atomic spectroscopy, potentiometry, other methods of electroanalysis, and especially the discussion of the different types of chromatographic analyses are very detailed and thorough. The last chapter discusses the very important topic of analytical automation, including the use of laboratory computers. An interesting feature of the book is a list of important terms to master a t the end of each chapter. Students would find these terms most useful in studying the chapters. In summary, the text would be most worthwhile for use in a quantitative analysis course for non-chemistry majors, hut there are some deficiencies for use in a course for chemistry majors. Lee H. Kalbus California State College San Bernardino San Bernardino. CA 92447
Most of the retained material is identical, word for word, with Solomons' Organic Chemistry Second Edition. In a very few cases the material is rewritten. The shortening is achieved by omitting same of the specialized sections, some of the fine print, all of the Special Topic sections (although some of this material has been incorporated into the new text or in introductory sections which precede each chapter), some specific examples of general reactions, and a few prahlerns. Whenever a text is shortened, there will he disagreement about which material should be omitted. In my case, I regret the deletion of the section on C-13 NMR spectroscopy (section 13.10 in the Second Edition). Of greater importance, however, is the deletion of specific examples of general reactions in several cases. For example, on pp. 489-490 generalized reactions of Grignard addition to carbonyl compounds are listed but there are no specific examples (contrast this treatment with that on pp. 620-622 in the Second Edition whieh includes specific examples). Specific examples can be supplied in lecture, but I find this omission in the text regrettable because many beginning students have difficulty in recognizing specific examples of general reactions they have learned. The organization of this text is based on functional groups as is Solumons' Organic Chemistry Second Edition. Mechanisms and functional group chemistry are introduced early in both texts. However, in the Second Edition kinetics and mechanisms are first introduced in the context of free radical reactions hut ionic reactions (nucleophilic substitution and elimination reactions of
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Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry T. W Graham Solomons. John Wiley & Sons, Someset, NJ. 1982. xiv 821 PP. Figs. and tables. 18 X 26 cm. $26.95.
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This textbook is not a new edition but rather an abbreviated version of the Second
tions are encountered more frequently and nucleophilic substitution mechanisms are simoler than free radical chain mechanisms. ~ e k t i o rates n are discussed in terms of collision theory and although the transition state is mentioned on p. 126,transition state theory is not developed. This is unfortunate smce transition state theory is the most useful
(Continued on page A284)
Reviewed in this Issue
Reviewer Lee H. Kalbus Richard S. Glass Dan Monroe
Roberl D. Braun, lntroduction t o Chemical Analysis T. W. Graham Solomons, Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry Wilhelm R. Frisell, Human Biochemistry Continuing Series
Volume 60
Number 10
A283 A283 A284 A284
October 1983
A283
