29G
NEW BOOKS
Reactions Involving Free Radicals-W. A. Waters. (is) Mechanism of Cannizzaro Reaction and Some Allied Processes-Joseph Weiss. (14) The Mechanism and Kinetics of Ring Closure-G. M. Bennett. .Is pointed out by Professor Ingold, the syniposium was held a t a most opportune time and followed as a natural and logical sequence t o the earlier symposium held by the Society in 1937. It is now possible for those who do not have ready access t o the Transactions of the Faraday Society t o possess as a portion of their personal libraries a n elegant review of organic reaction mechanisms as we now know them, presented in a concise and yet thorough nianner. The discussions which followed each presentation were stimulating and offered themselves a s valuable addenda t o the main paper. Pertinent literature references relevant t o every phase of the work are included. The English chemists who have directed their efforts toward the Understanding of theso difficult mechanistic processes are to be congratulated 011 the inilia1 successes they have achieved. This well-conceived monograph should be of tremendous value t o all who have “before then1 the ideal of the elevation of Organic Chemistry to a physical status, by the supersesession of its old empiricisms and recipes by physical understanding and exact technique.”
RICHARD T. ARXOLD. Introduction to Electrochemistry. By SAXUEI,GLASSTOXE.6 x 91 in.; vii 4- 545 p p , ; 89 tables; 135 figures. Xew York City: D. Van Nostrand Company, 1942. Price: $5.00. Professor Glasstone has been the author or coauthor of many hooks in this field and has proven himself very capable of presenting theoretical material in a n easily understood form. This book is no exception, since the author has done a n admirable job of bringing the underlying theories of electrochemistry up-to-date and in presenting them in such a manner that students.can easily grasp the subject matter. A s t,he author states in t,he preface, this book is written for use primarily as a text and not as a reference work. The literature references are in the most part t o recent publications nnd review articles from which the student may if he wishes proceed further in his study of this subject. .4t the end of each chapter illustrative probletns are given. S o attempt has been made to give a complete historical background for the prcsent-day theories, but,, in order t o simplify the presentation, the author devotes his entire energy toward ontlining the modern accepied theories as he sees them. The subject matter includcd in this volume is not n s inclusive as the title might indicate. Only t,he electrochemistry of dilute solutions is presented in detail; however, in the case of the discussion of activity, solutions up t o three molal are considered in some cases. For the most part the description and theory of practical applications of electrochemistry are not covered. One very serious oversight is the exclusion of all reference to the subject of fused electrolytes. In general, i t may be said t h a t this book gives a good comprehensive treatment of the theories of modern electrochemistry as they apply t o dilute aqueous solut,ions, presented in a form well suited for use a s a text. H. B. LINFORD.
Treatise on Physical Chemistry. Vol. I , Atomistics and Themodynamics. By H. S.T A Y LOR A X D SAMCEL GLASSTONE.679 pp, ServYork City: D. Van Kostrand Company, 1912. Price: $7.50; $6.50 on order for the set. The present is the first of five volumes replacing the earlier second (1931; edition of H. S. Taylor’s well-known treatise of two volumes under the same title. I t can hardly he called a “revision” since, judging from this first volume, a largely rewritten treatise is planned. The first chapter, “The .Itomic Concept of Matter,” by the senior author includes not only the stable atom and stable isotopes of all the elements, together with tables of mass and abundance, but also the radioactive atoms, natural and artificial, including complete tables of properties.
