BOOK REVIEWS Introduction to Organic Chemistry
Francis E . Condon and Herbed Meislich, both of City College of New York. Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Ine., New York, 1061. xx 841 pp. Figs. and tables. 16.5 X 24 em. $10.50.
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A new texthook of introductory organic chemistry, where s, number of first-rate works are already available, must he very good in order to deserve any consideration a t all. The hook under review, happily, meets this requirement. The most noteworthy feature of "Introduction to Organic Chemistry" is indicated by the authors in the preface: "This book is a reaction to s. modern trend in tenthooks of chemistry topresent theory in place of fact and to imply that all chemical phenomena are consequences of principles. . . . Each concept is intrad u d dramatically within a framework of experimental fact, so that the student may already feel the need for the concept and then can understand it in terms of its applications." Thus one finds FriedelCrafts alkylation, halogenation, nitration, and sulfonation of benzene rings described over a total of 11 pages, with the orientation of entering groups stated but not emphasired; then comes a tu-o-page section of general statements about rate and orientation in aromatic substitution; finally, much later in the hook and after the presentation of other similar processes,
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there is a 37-page chapter entitled Theory of Eleetrophilie Aromatic Substitution. In the reviewer's opinion, this method of organization makes a much healthier impression on the student than one in which the whole theoretical structure is presented immediately after the first practical instance, like an inverted pyramid balanced on a single point. The book includes an introductory chapter on fundamentals; six chapters on hydrocarbons, both aliphatic and ammatic; two chapters on band theory; six chapters on oxygen- and sulfur-containing functional groups; seven chapters an other more or less standard topics; and finally, four chapters on theories and mechanisms of reactions. Mono- and polyfunctional compounds are treated together, as are seyelie, isocyclic, and heterocyclic structures. The hook is accurate, complete, and up-to-date, as presenbday standards require; such topics as skew interactions, carbenes, and beneyne receive their proper place. The reviewer found on1.v one paragraph which he felt to he seriously inadequate--the discussion of the Fehling test on p. 410 ( c j . THIS JOURNAL 37, 205 [1960]). To a considerable extent, descriptions of individual compounds h w e been relegated t o tahles, the principal emphasis of the text being on functional groups and their reactions. Commercid operations are mentioned at appropriate points hut are not emphasized. Nomen-
in this Issue
Francis E . C a d o n and Hmberl Meislieh, Introduction t o Organic Chemistry James C a s a and H a r y Rapopo~t,Ilsborator,v Text in Organic Chemistry Charles A . MacKenrie, Unified Orgitnir Chemistry Louis F. and Mary Fieser, Advanced Organic Chemistry Isttidn hrdmy-Szab6, Anorgmisehe Chemie. Band 2 C. W . Wood and A. K . Holliday, Inorganic Chemistry: An Intermediate Text; Ph.wical Chemistry: An Intermediate Tent; Organic Chemistry: An Intermediate Text E. H . E . Pietsch, general editor, Gmelins Handhueh der Anorgrtnischen Chemie, 8. Auflsge. System-Nummer 29, Strontium Supplement E . H . E. Pielxh, general editor, Gmelins Handbueh der Anarganisrhen Chemie, 8. Auflage. System-Nummer 30, Barium Supplement I . M . Kolthoff and Philip J . Elrring, editors, Ernest B. Sandell, assistant, Treatise on Analytical Chemistr,". Part 1, Theory and Practice. Volume 3 Petr Zt~man,editor, Progress in Polarography. Volumes 1 and 2 Gerhard A. Cook, editor, Argon, Helium and the Rare Gases: The Elements of t,he Helium Group. Volume 1,History, Occurrence, and Properties Jaw E . Taylor, George I. Bush, and John R. Demuth, Investigations in Chemistry; A Text for the General Chemistry Laboratory H . G . Huhn, Atomic Spectra James A . K a t , editor, Reigel's Industrial Chemistry
clature is treated correctly and thoroughly without being belabored. Problems are numerous and excellent. Little use is made of models, spatid relationships being represented diagrammatically; an Instructor using this text will have the responsibility of acquainting his students with models and their usefulness. The authors deserve especial eommendation for their skilful use of language. With the aid of a precise and extensive vocabulary, varied sentence structure, and good organieation, they have produced a text which communicates enjoyably and eficiently with the reader. GORDON G. EVANS Tufts Tlniuersify Medford. Massacht~setts
Laboratory Text in Organic Chemistry
James Cason and H a r y Rapoport, both of the University of California, BerkIcy. 2nd ed. Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1062. x 514 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 24 cm. $7.85.
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The second edition of this laboratory text represents a substantial revision and a. 25% enlargement of the first. Underlying the approach used is the authors' feeling "that the prime function of lahoratory work in general organic chemistry is the teaching of the techniques, skills, and philosophies involved in the synthesis, purification, and identification of organic compounds." Part I (252 pages) comprises an introduction, four chapters on the basic experimental techniques of organic chemistry, 22 on well-chosen macro scale synthetic procedures, and one on the separation and identification of organic compounds. In addition to syntheses of the usual type involving the major functional groups there are experiments on nitrogen heterocyclics including preperation of N-methylpyrrola by the pyrolysis of the methylrunmonium salt oi mucic acid, 2-aminothiazole by the reaction of ehloroacetaldehyde and thiourea, nitration of Zsminopyridine, quinalidine by the Ilobner-Muller synthesis and its hrw mination to 2-(trihromamethyl) quinoline. Generally the synthetic procedure is preceded by hriei discussion of the reaction type, side reactions, purification, and alternate methods far preparing the product; it is followed by valuable explanatory notes regarding specific steps or operations in the procedure along the lines found in "Orglmic Syntheses." The 30-pqe section on qualitative organic mal,ysis covers tests for the elements, separation of components of mixtures on the basis of aeiditv. and the methods itre not discussed. Part I1 (230 pages) is devoted to discussion of advanced techniques and syntheses such as extraction, distillation a t reducod pressure, fractional distillation, mechanical stirring, liquid phase chromatography,
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Journal of Chemical Educdion
BOOK REVIEWS and gas phase chromatography. Paper chromatography is mentioned, but thin layer chromatography is not. Tho chapter on gas chromatography provides a brief, but valueble, introduction to t,hw practical aspects of this technique, and includes det,ailod directions for tho construction of s n inexpensive chromatograph. Similarly, the 11-page chapter on liquid phase column chromatogmphy is gratifying in the amount of useful information which it contains. The ten chapters an advanced syntheses include slkyl halides, nitriles, enolate eondensstions, alkylation of malonic ester, monoesters of dibltsic acids, electrolytic reduction, Friedel-Crafts zcylation, hypohalite oxidation, the Grignard reagent, and indoles. Four appendixes and a thorough index complete the volume. The printing is easy to read and the sketches arc very clear. This vnlume can be highly recommended, particularly in cases where the users will have occasion to need bath Parts I and 11.
HENRYG. I
