1776 Organometallics, Vol. 3, No. 11, 1984 pared, and their reaction chemistry has been studied extensively. As a result, many (#-CsH5)zTi” and -Tim derivatives have been prepared and characterized. The present volume of the Gmelin organotitanium series continues the coverage of such compounds. The books start out with Cp2TiWoxy derivatives, alkoxides, aryl oxides, and carboxylates in the main. These are followed by Cp2TiWcompounds with sulfur, selenium, and tellurium substituents of various kinds, with nitrogen and phosphorus substituents, and with group 4 R8M Substituents. Also covered are bis(cyclopentadieny1)titanium compounds with two different substituents, principally of type Cp2TiX(OR),those with chelating ligands (e.g., 8-diketonates, dithiocarbamates, etc.). A major part of the book is devoted to Cp2Ticompounds that also contain one or two T i 4 u-bonded organic groups (alkyl,aryl, acyl, etc.). These include the simple CpzTiR and CpzTiRztypes as well as more complicated systems. The literature, which includes original research papers, reviews and monographs, patents, theses, and conference reports, has been covered exhaustively through the end of 1979, partially even past this date. The listing of review articles and books dealing wholly or in part with organotitanium chemistry, which was begun in Part 1 and continued in Part 2, is updated through the end of 1980. The reader will find information and references relating to the preparation, physical and spectroscopic properties, structures, and the reactions of the compounds covered. As is the case in all Gmelin volumes, this information is presented in a well-organized and systematic manner with many equations, formulas, figures, and tables of data: another fine contribution from the Gmelin Institute. Dietmar Seyferth, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Organic Reactions. Volume 31. W. G. Dauben, Editor in Chief. Wiley, New York. 1984. vii 376 pages. $44.50.
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Volume 31 of Organic Reactions continues the fine tradition of its prececessors. This.volume, contains a single chapter titled “Addition and Substitution Reactions of Nitrile-Stabilized Carbanions”, written by S. Arseniyadis, K. S. Kyler, and D. S. Watt. This chapter thoroughly reviews the generation of nitrile-stabilized carbanions and their subsequent reactions with electrophiles. As is standard for contributions to Organic Reactions, the text is followed by an extensive tabulation (273 pages) of specific examples. The literature citations are extensive, covering references through February of 1982. Included in this chapter are sections on the generation and reactions of carbanions derived from alkyl- and aryl-substituted nitriles, and 8,yunsaturated nitriles, and protected cyanohydrins as well as nitriles bearing sulfur, dialkylamino, and halogen substituents. Particular attention is focused on the scope and limitations of these reactions with good attention to mechanistic deta i1.
Book Reviews Several features make this review particularly useful: (1)It contains a detailed table of contents. (2) Within the chapter, reactions are logically grouped, first with respect to the variety of the nitrilestabilized carbanion (sixseparate sections) and within these sectionswith respect to the electrophile. This makes finding information about a specific reaction extremely easy. (3) As in previous chapters in this series, representative experimental procedures are included. In summary, Professor Watt and coauthors have produced an excellent addition to this valuable series, meeting its high standards by producing a well-written, comprehensive review. This volume should prove to be a useful addition to the institutional and personal library alike. Stephen L. Buchwald, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mechanisms of Inorganic and Organometallic Reactions. Edited by M. V. Twigg. Plenum Press, New York. Volume 1. 1983. 373 pp. $49.50. Volume 2. 1984. 453 pp. $59.50. These volumes are the first in a new series that is the clear successor to the now-defunct Inorganic Reaction Mechanisms volumes in the Specialist Periodical Reports (Royal Society of Chemistry). Each volume covers an 18-month period in the literature (July 1979-Dec 1980 and Jan 1981-June 1982, respectively). The coverage of the literature is reasonably comprehensive, although less militantly so than the earlier series. It is also somewhat more critical and evaluative. The volumes are divided into 14 sections, each prepared by one or two individuals who are active in that specialty. The contributors have met the challenge of abstracting the essence of many research investigations, each in a sentence or two. The skill and insight with which this has been done are evident throughout. The series maintains the worthy tradition of tabulating rate constant values and reaction conditions. The coverage, reflecting published activity, is clearly slanted toward transition-metal coordination chemistry, both ligand substitution and redox processes. Organometallic reactions do receive extensive coverage, however, comprising about one-third of the pages in each. Emphasis is on systems in which mechanisms have been examined by quantitative data. These volumes are prices within the reach of individuals and clearly deserve space in the personal libraries of those active in these research areas. Nonspecialists,who would probably have less occasion to access the current literature in this manner, will probably be inclined to rely on library copies. Anything the editor and publisher could do to reduce the 18-month interval between coverage and publication would enhance their utility. James H. Espenson, Iowa State Uniuersity
