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The Evolution aod Development of the System of Physical Chemistry, publishrd Quantum Theory. N. M. BLIGH. by the same publishers. He will obtain Fomword by Professor M a x Planck. much more value for his money and someLongmans, Green and Co., New York, thing of real usefulness on his reference shelf. 1926. 112 pp. 14 X 22 cm. 8.00. HUGH S. TAYLOR This book attempts in a brief 96 pages t o present the phases of the quantum theKatalyse mit kolloiden Metallen. WALory which are indicated in the above TER H ~ ~ C K E L Akademische . Verlagstitle of the hook. By reason of the space gesellachaft, Leipzig, 1927. viii f 86 occupied the volume can only he the merpp. 10 figs. 14.5 X 21.5 cm. Paper, est outline of one of the most revdution5M.; bound, GM. ary ideas in physics and chemistry during This is Volume 6 of the series Kolloidthe present century. I t is difficult, thcrelore, to see what purpose the author had forschung i n Einzeldarstellungen. edited in mind in writing the book. I t is not by R. Zsigmondy. In a short introduction the author points sufficiently detailed t o be of any great out that catalysis in a heterogeneous sysvalue to the student. It is entirely too scientific a treatment for the tem is governed not only by the rate of general reader. It does ~ i v ean outline the chemical reaction which is taking place sketch of the important features of the but also by the rate of diffusion of the original quantum theory and points out, reacting substances into and through the in the concluding chapter, why this theory surface film and the rate of diffusion of is inadequate and that the new quantum the final product out through the surface theory is in process of formulation. The film into the body of the liquid. He old theory is introduced in this book, as it poinb out that the rate of diffusion is in many instances so much slower than the arose, from the standpoint of radiation. I t is developed with respect t o the light- rate of chemical reaction that the rate quantum hypothesis, atomic heats, the of diffusion becomes the limiting factor. Nernst heat theorem, and the quantum and that when protective colloids are theory of optical spectra. To show the used, they may very profoundly influence difficulties which the author is under in this rate of diffusion, or they may affect writing a book of this brevity it is only the nature of the surface of the catalyst. Studies of catalysis by colloidal metals necessary to point out that the subject of quantum theory in photochemical reac- have been made involving the reaction, Hydrogenation tions occupies two and one-half pages. HzOy -+ H,O So far as the reviewer is aware this could readions have been extensively studied. only serve to tell the student that the Some studies have been made of catalytic quantum theory bore some relation t o oxidation but other types of reactions photochemistry and that it would be have not been studied to any extent. In order that a colloidal metal may be necessary t o buy another book t o find out more concerning the subject. The used as a catalyst the sol must possess: (I) an appreciable concentration, (2) reviewer suggests that the money that might be spent by the student in purchas- small particles (relatively great extent ing this book should be devoted to the of surface), and (3) a protective colloid must be present to protect against coagupurchase of Lewis' Volume I11 of the
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lation hut the protective colloid must Catalytic oxidations are discussed at some length hut the chief illustrations are not "poison" the catalyst. colloidal metal = The main part of the book is devoted methyl alcohol air HCHO; and 2CO 0 9 = 2'202. to a review of colloidal metal sols prepared A discus&m of the kinetics of colloidal by Paal's method (protalbinic or lysalbinic acids as protective colloids) or by Skita's catalysis is given but here the only remethod (gelatin or gum arabic as pro- action sufficiently well studied to be adetective colloids). Complete directions are quately discussed is 2H202--t 2H.O given for preparing P t sols containing 0,. The question of poisoning of the cat50Yo P t ; Pd sols containing 47% Pd; and I r sols containing 19% 11. These sols alystis discussedat some Length. Only tl-c Paal preparations have been sufficiently can be evaporated t o dryness, and heated a t 10&11O0C. and still be readily dis- well studied to generalize. Hg and HgO persed when water is again added. The are fatal t o hydrogenation reactions but properties of these sols are discussed in not t o the reaction 2H20z--t 2 H ~ 0 0 ~here, ; however, HgCh acts as a poison. considerable detail. Hydrogenation reactions are next taken As a rule oxides and hydroxides of other up and thc necessary apparatus is illus- metals are less effective poisons than is Hg. In the final section the author discusses trated. Directiansare given for the hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene and eth- the theories of catalytic hydrogenation. ane; of phenyl propiolic acid to cinnamic There is a good discussion of the various acid; of nitrobmzene to aniline; and of ben- theories of hydrogen activation hut the author does not draw any definite conzaldehyde cyanhydrin to beneyl alcohol. Inorganic compounds can likewise be clusion as to the theory which should be hydrogenated by these preparations. In accepted. The book closes with a subject and the presence of protalbinic acid and a trace of colloidal palladium, Cu(0H). is author index. I n general, it may be reconverted by HS into a colloidal copper garded as treating a very limited portion sol. One milligram of colloidal Pd is of the general field of catalysis, wit\ essufficient to convert 0.2 gm. of CU(OH)~. pecial reference to the catalytic tehavicr Similarly sols of Ni and Co can be pre- of Pt, Ir, and Pd, and even here only those pared. Ammonium bichromate solutions preparations prepared bjr Paal's or Skita's methods. However, i t brings together a under similar treatment yield a sol of Cr(OH)$;ammonium molybdate solutions considerable amount of widely scattered yield a sol of MO(OH)~ and ammonium literature and as such serves a useful purmeta vanadate yields a sol of V(OHh. pose. It should he of interest t o those who are studying catalytic reactions and Paal's colloidal metals can be used as also to the organic chemist who may wish catalysts to hydrogenate double and trito selectively hydrogenate some organic ple bonds in aliphatic organic compounds but are without effect upon the carhonyl compound. Ross A I ~ GORTNER N group or upon the double bonds causing the aromatic character of benzene, naphthalene, pyridine, or quinoline. TheSkita Digest of Elementary Chemistry. MARTIN MENDEL,M.A. Globe Publishing preparation, on the other hand, will hyCompany, New York, 1927. v f 234 drogenate not only the aliphatic double pp. 22 figures. 12 X 18 cm. $0.67. and triple bonds but also the carbonyl The name indicates the purpose of the group and the aromatic carbocyclic and heterocyclic compounds, including even book, which is elaborated in the preface. "This book is designed t o present in canthe very resistant (to other methods of hydrogenation) isoquinoline. A number cise and logical form those essential facts of chemistry which are necessary not only of illustrations of methods are given.
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