BOOK REVIEWS
gas chromatograph, run by a teaching assistant, on the 2 methyl 2 butene would show that i t contains about 10% of 2 methyl 1 butene. Some warning about the ease with which isopropyl ether farms explosive peroxides should have been included. This text is an important one to take into account when small scale organic preparations are being considered, particrllarly as it is the first to describe consistently the use of standard taper small scale elassware. When comnared to simi-
H. COURTNEY BENEDICT Chico Stale College Chico, California
pecially chemists doing structurd work"; and further, "this volume should also prove valuable as a reference hook." A reviewer must be cognizant of the time and effort the authors have contributed to produce a work of value to others and balance this against the treatment given to the subject matter. I t is unfortunate t,hat this present work falls far short of its intended coals. For the chemist in-
For example, the use of chartracteristic group frequencies in structure analysis (Chapter 5 ) is badly abridged. The stre98 on hydrocarbon spectre. detracts seriously from the d u e of the chapter as a. reference source. The presentation of data in a, strictly one-..ided, wavenumher format complicates the use of charts and figures for a large number of chemists. Although there is no doubt that eventually the use of wavenumber notation will he universally adapted, the fact that the overwhelmine number of reference snectra
IR-Theory ond Practice of Infrared Spectroscopy
Herman A . Szp,anski, Canisius College, Buffalo, New York, with a chapter on instrumentation by Nelson 1,. Alperl, Perkin-Elmer Cnrp. Plenum Press, 375 pp. Figs. New York, 1964. xiv and t,ahles. 16 X 23.5 em. $15.
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The snthor has outlined his intentions in writing this msnuscript quite clearly: "It is intended for all who wish to use infrared spect,rascopy in research-a-
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Journol o f Chemkol Educofion
represents an extensive, essentially descriptive treatment af a difficult sohject. In the presentation of both Chapters 4 and 5, particularly in t,he introdoction to Chapter 5, the unfamiliar reader could gain the erroneous impression that the chaxacteristic group frequency treabment is limited to a relatively small number of molecrtles which cannot he treated t h e aretically. In bath chapters, the key
two of the hook, the treatment falls just short of heing authoritative, engendering enough mistrust to lower the general value of the book to a n unfortunate degree. At first glance, the hook gives the general impression of heing useful and sound, but closer perusal suggests that it leaves much to be desired. One should not gain the impression, however, that the book is without merits. The chapter on instrumentation (Chapter 2) by Dr. Nelson Alpert is particularly well done. Perhaps most important is the fact that this chapter is so written that the beginning student will profit greatly from it. Chapter 7 on the spectral library should also receive commends, tion from all interested in data. retrieval of infrared spectral information. This is the first chapter of its type thrtt has been clearly presented in this nuhject area. to date. The suggested readings a t the ends of the latter chapters offer the student ample v.orthwhile sourcw far further informat,ion. Although the material presented has been quite selective the author extensively treats techniques, the more common ones being treated in detail. I n addition a chapter on quantitative analysis discusses Beer's law, multicomponent and differential analysis, and related topics. I t is unfortunate in this chapter thrtt same actual applications with exemplary cases were not cited to show the strong points of quant.itative analyses by infrared. The methodology, the comparison of the accuracy of varying methods, and practi(Continued on page AS18)
BOOK REVIEWS cal information for the student me omitted. In place of this information, the reader will find a presentation of the difficulties experienced in refining the quitntitative measurement by this method. For most chemists little will he gained from the volume. For those interested in such topics as spectra-structure oorrelations, procedures and methods, and theoretical details, other works offer a far more detailed presentation. This reviewer can foresee a t best limited utility for this volume in the field. It is unfortunate that the beginner in infrared will find only the survey of laboratory techniques and basic principles of tangible educational value.
pletely rewritten and updated version of the first version which was published in 1924. I n this Dover reprint of the third edition a new preface cites pertinent references through 1962.
J. V. D.
Organic Functional Group Analysis b y Micro and Semimicro Methods
Nicholas D. Chwonis (deceased) and T. S. Ma, both of Brooklyn College, City University of New York. Interscience Publishers (a division of John Wiley and Sons, Inc.), New York, 1964. xnr 696 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. $25.
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The appearrtnce of a hook whioh includes the wards "Mioro and Semimicro Methods" in the title always throws a shock through the academic world. Most academicians look upon micro analysis as being elemental organic analysis and The Solubility of Noneleclrolytes nothing more. This volume, written by the late Nicholas D. Cheronis and his Joel H. Hildebrand, University of Calicolleague, T. S. Ma, provides s. working fornia, Berkeley, and Robert L. Scott, demonstration that micro analysis is University of California, Los Angeles. nothing more than regular chemical 3rd ed. Dover Publications, Inc., analysis carried out on a reduced scale. New York, 1964. xiv 488 pp. Figs. From this point of view, the structure and tables. 14 X 21 cm. Paperof the hook is most interesting. Pert bound. $2.50. one is devoted to the principles and techniques of micro analysis. It includes The third edition of this basic work, a discussion of the classification and originally published as an ACS Monagraph was reviewed in TEIS JOURNAL, limitations of analytical methods as well as a discussion of the chemical bases for 29, 51 (1952). That volllme was a comROBERT T. CONLEY Seton Hall University South Orange, N m Jersey
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Journal of Chemical Education
organic functional group analysis p r e sented in the form of tables. This method for the presentation of general summaries of extensive amounts of infarmation is useful as well as being concise. As is predictable, the methods include neutralization, oxidation-reduction, p r e cipit~tion titratians, spectrophotometry, and measurements of gases and water. There is very little to distinguish between aqueous and nanaqueaus methodologies. As would he expected, influences of moleoular structure on kinetics, reaction rates, and catalysis are emphasized where analytical effects are found. Part two is a. critical survey of anelyticrtl methods for the determination of organic functional groups on a. micro scale. The major parts are devoted to oxygen functions, nitrogen functions, sulfur functions, unsaturatian, and miscellaneous functional groups. Anyone reading the discussions in this part will become aware of the tremendous expanse of knowledge which bas been reviewed. Any student who can discuss all of the chemistry given here is extremely well informed and should he able to handle most problems which arise in connection with the analysis of organic mixtures in the lnharatary. Pert three includes 12 determinations with milligram samples using ordinary everyday hbborstary equipment and 13 determinations using milligram samples but with special apparatus of one kind or another. The selection of experiments will he very good for use in a. teaching laboratory but will leave something to be (Continued on page AS.%)
