book reviews not have spectra. routinely measured or available in the lctboratory) an opportunity to make use of spectroscopic techniques. A small but adequate section on the determination of physical properties, methods of separation and purification, and the theories relating to these techniques proceeds the section on the synthetic sequences. These two sections make for 8. well balanced text on the principles and practice of elementary synthetic organic chemistry, and provide sufficient examples to keep the most industrious of undergraduates busy for at least two years in the average undergraduate laboratory. The remainder of the hook wnsists of 14 pages of spectroscopic methods of identification and structure proof, 27 pages on the identification of organic compounds, snd 12 pages of tables of derivatives. It is apparent from the size of these sections that they are given only s cursory coverage. While the authors state their belief that identification of organic compounds by spectroscopic methods should be introduced in the first organic laboratory course their only a+ tempt to do this, in the section on identification of organic compounds, consists of s page and a paragraph at the end of this section which points out that penicillin had its structure determined by X-ray diffraction techniques and that ir and nmr
A598 / Journal of Chemiccrl Education
spectra. may he used in the identification of a compound of unknown structure.
D. H. DOLPHIN Haward University Cambridge, Mass.OH58 Spectral Exercises in Structural Determination of Organic Compounds
Robert H . Shapiro, Univemity of Colorado, Boulder. Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, Inc., New York, 1969. xi 209 pp. Figs. and tables. 16.5 X 23.5 om. Softbound. $4.95.
+
This short book contains, ir, nmr, uv, and mass spectra for 100 compounds. In addition, three sppendices are included. The f i s t appendix gives the molecular formula, the second gives the functional group, and the third the name of the compound. If one is stuck, he is advised to look a t the &st appendix, then attack the problem with this additional information. The second appendix may be used in a similar way, and the third is the court of last appeal. The format of the problems is reminiscent of a question on an hour test or exam. There is s. description of the compound, followed by the four spectra on facing pages. This arrangement makes possible the Xeroxing of such a set of pages for exam questions. Obviously, this book can be used by anyone as a self-study guide in spectral analysis. It should be noted that there is neither discussion of the production of these
spectra nor the analysis of spectra. The student must find this information in some other source, such as Baesler and Silhersteiu, Jaekman, eto. I feel this book has a real place as a supplement to such monographs.
J. D. REINHEIMER College of Wooster Woosler, Ohio Inlroductlon to the Chemistry of Life
Hadand D. Ernbee and Harold J. DeBey, both of Ssn Jose State College, California. Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., Inc., Reading, Massachusetts, 1968. 270 pp. Figs. and tables. 24 X 17 om. $8.95. This book is a, smaller version of an earlier hook "Introduction to Chemistry" which included general chemistry in addition to the organic and biochemistry sections presented in this hook. As stated by the authors in the Preface, this book is intended to serve as an introduction to organic chemistry and biochemistry, and not intended for those msjoring in those fields. In t h t respect this is an exemplary textbook. This book appears admirably suited to the sophomore who plans to enter the health sciences, especially nursing. The book is divided into two parts. Part I deals with the nomenclature and the basic reactions of simple organic compounds. Since a. firm foundation in organic chemistry is essential for a. meaning-
ful understanding of hiochemistry, this is a. necessary feature of a textbook of this t,vne. Part I1 is a discussion of the
these reactions tolife. The section on organic chemistry begins with a, brief account of the historical sspects of the development of organic chemistry which would help to arouse the curiosity of the student. This is followed by chapters on classes of organic compounds such as alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, phenols, acids, and amines. The students would have comprehended the relationship of these compounds much hetter if a general classification of the important organic compounds had been presented before each class of compounds was discussed in detail. The first four chapters are on hydrocarbons and Chapters 5 and 6 are on alcohols, phenols, ethers, and acids. These first few chapters are very important for the student since it is during this period that he has to get acquainted with the nomenclsture and the basic reactions of organic compounds. A greater number and variety of work exercises s t the end of these chapters would have helped the student to sohieve this goal hetter. Chapter 6 on organio aoids and esters in followed by s chapter on the chemistry of biologically important esters, namely fats. This is a very good arrangement since this would help the student to associate the chemical nature of fats with those of esters. But this arrangement is not fol-
lowed for the chapters on aminoacids and carbohydrates. If the chapters on amines and carbonyl compounds had been followed by chapters on amino acids and carbohydrates, respectively, i t would have heen more h e l ~ f u lfor the students to
conspicuously absent from a list of carbony1 compounds in nature. The section on biochemistry is excellent. The organization of the material, the presentation, and the illustrations to explain difficult concepts, cannot he hetter. The first ohapter on the introduction to hiochemistry includes a hrief account of the historical development of hiochemistry, same simple techniques used in hiochemical research, and an illustrated description of a living cell with its important components and their primary biological functions. This is very appropriate and this should not only develop a n interest in the student for biochemistry, hut also should help orient the student with a purely chemical background. Following this chapter, the hook moves on to a discussion of the chemistry and structure of carbohydrates, amino acids, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Difficult concepts such as structure of starch, structure of proteins, and structures of RNA and DNA are made simple by illustrations. For the beginning student this is very helpful. The section of metabolism begins with the digestive processes and the energetics of biologicd reactions. A diagram of the
human digestive system given in this chapter helps the student with purely chemiesl background to understand the digestive processes better. The succeeding chapters deal successively with the detailed metaholism of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. At the end of each chapter, a. small section is devoted to point out the abnormalities of the metaholism discussed. I n the chapter on lipid metaholism a diagram is presented to illustrate the interrelationship of the metaholism of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. The last four chapters ere utilized for the discussion of nutrition, chemistry of heredity, photosynthesis, and the biochemistry of disease and therapy. This section would be useful for students of nutrition and nursing. During the past few years the number of text hooks in intriductory life chemistry has increased a t a very rapid rate. Each hook has its own standard and ohiective. So the choice of s, textbook for the heginning student must depend in large measure on the educational background and the need of the student. I n this hook the authors have organized and presented the elementary aspects of hiochemistry in a manner that the heginning student will have little or no difficulty understanding. It will he an appropriate text for those who plan to enter health sciences, especially nursing.
I. PYNADATH THOMAS K n t Stale Uniuemity K a t , Ohio
Volume 47, Number 9, September 1970
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