Introduction to Quantitative Analysis (Mahin, Edward G.) - Journal of

Introduction to Quantitative Analysis (Mahin, Edward G.) H. H. Willard. J. Chem. Educ. , 1930, 7 (1), p 217. DOI: 10.1021/ed007p217.2. Publication Dat...
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VOL. 7, NO. 1

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The next two hundred' pages are taken, with some changes by the junior author, from Dr. Hillebrand's treatise, "The Analysis of Silicate and Carbonate Rocks," first published as Bulletin 422 and later, revised and enlarged, as Bdletin 700, of the Geological Survey. This bulletin has long been considered a thorough snd authoritative treatise on the subject and its indusion as an integral part of the new book will be a source of satisfaction t o those who will own and use the book. The last division is devoted to the analysis of soda-lime glass and of bauxite and other refractories of high alumina content. This is the work of Dr. Lundell. The text is well written and it is reasonDREXEL INSTITUTE PYILADBLPHI*, PENN*. ably free from small errors, some of which inevitably escape the vigilance of proof Applied Inorganic Analysis. W. F. HILLB- readers of first editions. The reviewer BRAND, late Chief Chemist, U. S. Bucommends the book to all who deal with reau of Standards, and G. E. F. LUN- analytical problems. It is too large and DELL,Chemist, U. S. Bureau of Stand- comprehensive to serve as a text in colards. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New leges, except in advanced courses, whcre 929 pp. 15 X York City, 1929. xix i t will prove valuable t o student and 23.5 cm. $8.50. teacher alike. But every chemist who is Any treatise bearing the names of the engaged in the work of applied analysis present authors and dealing with analyti- will want the book. E. G. MAHW cal problems should command the re: U N I Y ~ OF S INOTBG ~ DAUB spectful attention of all chemists. The Norag D A m B , INDIANA long connection of the late Dr. Hillebraud with the U. S. Geological Survey and his Introduction to Ouantitative Analysis. EDWARD G. MAHIN,Ph.D., Professor of later work as Chief Chemist of the Bureau Analytical Chemistry and Metallurgy of Standards, together with his important in the University of Notre Dame. First contributions to the science of analvtical edition. McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., chemistry, have made his name familiar. New York City, 1929. xii f 227 pp. And the junior author has, in this volume, 32 figures. 14 X 20 cm. $2.25. ably seconded his superior in the preparaThis book is an abridgment of the tion of a book which will eventually prove to be an essential part of the libray of all author's more comprehensive book on the same subject and is designed for courses analytical chemists. The first six hundred pages, most of in elementary quantitative analysis parwhich is the work of Dr. Lundell, is an ex- ticularly "in colleges whose major work is tended and detailed discussion of general inthe fieldof liberal arts." I t is, therefore, principles of analytical procedure and of unfortunate that the point of view of the special determination of the elements, in- technical analyst, for whom the larger cluding practically the entire list. This book is primarily designed, should also be part is so comprehensive, and a t the same prominent in this book. It is probably expecting too much of one author to pretime so detailed, that i t approaches the distinction of being called a complete sent the subject in both ways. The technic of gravimetric analysis is reference work. such as digestion and metabolism. New chapters on the blood, urine, and internal secretions have been added. The hook is well written and the material is presented as simply as possible. The theoretical principles a m kept down to a minimum and only the ones that are essential are introduced. Several new experiments have been added, including the analysis of group one, to illustrate methods of separation and identification. The book seems to be quite suitable for its intended purpose, but in the time usually allotted to a course of this type, much of the material would have to be omitted. D. C. LICEITENWALN~

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JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION

first described, after which methods are given for nine common determinations. I n the chapter on electroanalysis there is a hrief-too brief-discussion of the theory and of the apparatus, followed by procedures for the determination of five metals. The latter half of the hook is devoted t o volumetric analysis, with a few pages on silicate analysis. Thus the exercises cover the ground usually included in an elementary course. Considerable space is devoted t o apparatus and its calibration. The method of volumetric calculations is rather illogical and follows too closely that for gravimetric prwesses, using conversion factorsagain the technical point of view. I t is not the best for that type of student for which the book is written. More stress should be laid on the normal system, which has so many advantages. The author objects to the use of "correction factors" even though expressed in terms of normality, although most chemists will disagree with him on this point, especially when the solution is not entirely stable. Even in an elementary book the student should be given the best method for the purpose, taking into consideration the re: sults of recent research. Sometimes this has been done, for example, in the use of diphenylamine as indicator in the titration of ferrous iron by dichromate. Oftener it h a been neglected. The procedure for determining magnesium on page 74 is open to serious criticism. The perchlorate method for potassium on pages 71-72 is the antiquated one of Wenze, with no mention of the numerous improvements published during the subsequent thirty-eight years. The book contains numerous mistakes. On page 200 i t is evident that the reaction between AgCl and Fe(CNS)%is due to the lower solubility of AgCNS, the reference being incorrectly quoted. On page 63 i t is stated that BaCOa can be ignited and weighed as BaO; on page 79, that oxyacids of halogens may he reduced to the hydracids by warming with He02. The author has italidzed on page 151 the

JANUARY, 1930

amazing statement that an alkali solution must always be standardized in the presence of the indicator that is t o be used in the determination. But if the alkali were standardized against potassium a d d pbthalate, using phenolphthalein as indicator and subsequently used to titrate the excess of acid in a determination of ammonia, it is obvious that the same indicator would be entirely useless. He considers i t quite unnecessary to remove carbonate in preparing standard alkali! In the discussion of oxidation and reduction the author has introduced the very useful method devised in 1880 by 0 . C. Johnson, except that instead of the term "bond" Q "oxidation number" he uses "apparent valence." The book contains discussions of most of the theories and principles involved. but these are entirely too brief and need t o be extended and amplified by lectures when the book is used as a text. The importance of thorough training in this part of the subject cannot be too strongly emphasized. H. H. WILLARD UKLYBRS~NOF M I C M O A N

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So@tions of Electrolytes with Particular Application to Qualitative Analysis. Lours P. HAMMETT, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Chemistry in Columbia University. First edition. McGrawHill Book Co., New York City, 1929. 211 pp. 11 figures; 5 tables. xi 20 X 14 cm. $2.50. Since Dr. Stieglitz appears disinclined to rewrite the classic first volume of his "Qualitative Analysis," i t was inevitable that some younger man should have a go a t restating in the light of advances since 1912 the topics there set forth. Dr. Hammett's essay appears to the reviewer to be notably successful. The general principles applicable to the behavior of electrolytes in solution are developed in the following order: Strong Electrolytes, The Solubility Product Principle, Weak Electrolytes, Hydrolysis, Compounds, Oxidation-Reduction. The

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