July 20, 1958
BOOKREVIEWS
3803
this feature. The value is reduced, however, by the large terminology. The needs may not be as pressing as in the number of typographical errors which are scattered through- political arena, but each added area of mutuality should be a step in the right direction. out the book and references. A second valuable contribution which might well be exDEPARTMENT O F CHEMISTRY pected from such a book is a critical discussion of the col- HARVEY J. A. CAMPBELL MUDDCOLLEGE lected data. In a few instances this has been given. The CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA discussions on deuterium solvent isotope effect and on intrinsic migration aptitudes, for example, are clear, concise and cogent. Much of the reporting, however, is uncritical and occasionally observations which are open to serious ques- The Chemistry of the Steroids. Methuen’s Monographs on Biochemical Subjects. W. KLYNE,M.A., D.Sc., Ph.D., tion are presented without editorial comment. A fairly Reader in Biochemistry University of London (Postbroad grounding in theoretical organic chemistry on the graduate Medical School). John Wiley and Sons, Inc., part of the reader is assumed. Because of these two circum440 Fifth Avenue, New York 16, N.Y. 1957. 216 pp. stances, the book cannot be recommended for the unsophis12.5 X 19 cm. Price, $3.50. ticated student of organic chemistry. The drawbacks are less serious for the advanced worker or specialist who intends One of the aims of this book is “to provide an outline of to use the book as a guide to the literature of isotopic tracing the chemistry of the steroids for the non-chemical readers ... through 1952. to enable him to discuss his problems with chemists better.” This aim was not quite achieved for the truly non-chemical MELLONINSTITUTE AKSELA. BOTHNER-BY reader for he will find some parts of this book hard to follow. PITTSBURGH 13, PENSA. Some of this difficulty lies in the authors’ use of chemical terms before they are explained. The author “hoped that the book may also be useful to Gmelins Handbuch der Anorganischen Chemie. Platin. chemists whose special interest lies in another branch of the Teil D. Komplexverbindungen mit Neutralen Liganden. System-Xummer 68. E. H . ERICH PIETSCH(Editor). subject.” Although there are a few elementary passages, Verlag Chemie, G.m.b.H., a’einheim/Bergstr., Germany. this group will find this book valuable in obtaining a rapid introduction to steroid chemistry. Both groups will appre1957. lix 4 638 pp. 18 X 25.5 cm. Price, $90.00. ciate the difficulty in presenting the subject matter to two This is the final portion of the treatment of the element groups with different background. platinum. I t covers, through 1953, the literature on comThe book opens with a brief but interesting chapter on the plex compounds of platinum with neutral ligands. Follow- history of the steroids. The stereochemistry of the ring ing 38 pages of general introductory discussion, 425 pages junctions and the various positions of the steroid molecule deal with complexes of divalent platinum and 150 pages with is discussed with a short description on the concept of conthose of the quadrivalent element. Compounds containing formation of ring systems. The most vital subject of nomenboth divalent and quadrivalent platinum, divalent pal- clature is clearly presented. The application of ultraviolet ladium and quadrivalent platinum and platinum organic and infrared spectrometry and optical rotation on struccompounds not containing neutral ligands occupy the reture determination comprises the chapter on physical propermaining 15 pages. There is a convenient index in which ties. There are two excellent chapters on the chemical propthe complexes are classified by the kind and number of erties of the functional groups on the steroids which will be ligands. particularly instructive to the non-chemical reader. The There is every evidence that the encyclopedic coverage other chapters cover the naturally occurring steroids with characteristic of other parts of the great Handbuch has brief discussions on the isolation and pertinent chemistry of been maintained in this volume. the more important compounds. The basic methods of separation of the steroids are considered in the last chapter. NATIONAL BUREAUOF STANDARDS WASHINGTON, D. C. EDWARD WICHERS Only an outline of the methods of determination of steroids is presented since this subject will be covered by a companion book. This book is written in a very readable style and the Elements of Classical Thermodynamics for Advanced is amply supported with structural formulas and tables. Students of Physics. By A. B. PIPPARD,M.A., Ph.D., text F.R.S., Lecturer in Physics in the University of Cam- There is a bibliography for each chapter. The references are bridge and Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge. Cam- principally to review articles which make further informabridge University Press, 32 East 57th Street, S e w York tion on the subjects more accessible to the non-chemical reader. The book is recommended for both the non-chemical 22, S. Y . 1957. vii 165 pp. 14.5 X 22 cm. Price, reader and the non-steroidal chemist who wish to obtain an $4.75 (cloth); $2.75 (paper). It will also be a useful introduction to steroid chemistry. Pippard attains the fine level of excellence one is accus- addition to the steroid chemists’ library. tomed to find in books from the Cambridge University Press. DIVISIONOF STEROID METABOLISM AXD BIOCHEMISTRY Succinct but not brief, thorough but not boring, instrucSLOAN-KETTERING INSTITUTE tive but not pedantic describe the general tenor. 410 EAST68TH STREET DAVID E;. FUKLiSIiIMA In the author’s words, “. . this is probably not a suitable NEWYORK21, NEWYORK textbook for the beginner, but I hope the more advanced stiidcnt will find here a statement of the aims and techniques which will illuminate any specialized applications lie may meet later.” Both the text and the set of 14 rather Metallurgy of the Rarer Metals. Geiicral Editor of Series, difficult exercises are gauged for this level. H. M. FINNISTON, B.Sc., Ph.D., A.R.T.C., Head of MetalLittle inentioil is made, as the title would indicate, of lurgy Division, Atomic Energy Rescarch Establishment, statistical ideas. The first three laws are stated and deHarwell, Berkshire. No. 2. Zirconium. By G. L. veloped from a classical viewpoint, and then applied to MILLER,Ph.D., B.Sc., A.R.I.C., M.I.Chem.E., M.I.M.M. inany of the most interesting simple systems and their Academic Press Inc., 11 Fifth Avenue, New York 3, changes. Little attention is paid to chemical systems and N. Y. 1957. xxi 4- 548 pp. 14.5 X 22 cm. Price, changes as such, for the book is written largely for students $12.50. of physics and mathematics. Applications to adiabatic and isothermal changes, to phase equilibrium, to radiation, This second edition of Dr. Miller’s book on zirconium canto magnetic fields, to phase transitions of various orders, not be regarded as a mere up-dating of the first edition isare well done. The thermodynamic inequalities concerning sued 4 years ago, but rather as a new book which illustrates, the increase in entropy, the decrease in availability (free by its 50y0 greater length and coverage of items not even energy), and the conditions of equilibrium are given good mentioned in the first edition, both the exuberant growth coverage. of zirconium technology during the past 4 years as well as The terminology is, of course, not that used in this coun- the expanded declassification policy of the USAEC. This try. Perhaps the book should be read by American students volume, therefore, as the third and most recent major text just to acquaint them with the provincialism of our scientific on zirconium to appear within the past 4 years, must be language. It might also remind ever more Americans of reviewed within the present context of the existence of a the desirability of international agreement on scientific voluminous literature as well as of a flourishing technology.
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3804
BOOKREVIEWS
Vol. 80
T o coridense this information within the confines even of z/rcon/uni coinpounds and an appendix oii nietallography of this fairly bulky volume was indeed an ambitious underzirconium. The reviewer believes t h a t the discussion of taking; that iilany important facets of zirconium metal- iiietallograpliy could have been considerably improved by IurgL- ar-e, as a result, inadequately reflected is of less including suitable micrographs, and was surprised to ~ i < i t v conscqueiice th:m the author’s achievement of a critical that the entire text was issued without a single illustrativu :ind valuable collation of the data in several areas. of a typical microstructure. .lfter two s h i r t introductory chapters devoted t o occurThe particular interests of the autliur in metal reduction reiice :LIICI use of zirconium, tlie author discusses estractioii and melting undoubtedly account for the high quality of froiii the ore and processes pr~rposedfor separation of zirtlie sections devoted to these topics; i t is regrettable that conium and hafnium. It is unfortunatc that the book was the reviewer cannot equally commend his coverage of other apparently sent to press late in 1956 and that lielice the fields. It was well known in 1957 that practically all the declassification of iriformatiori on the Zr-Hf separation coniniercial production of zirconium was devoted to nuclear processes early iii 1957 did not permit coilcentration on de- applications, particularly those involving exposure to higli scriptioii of the proc s c~iriiinereiallyin use. The foltemperature water. T e t , the author appears reluctant to hiwiiig three chapters iriirably a r i d critically rcvieLr the associate liis subject with nuclear encrgy. This is exemplireductioii and refinement processes for metallic zirconium fied in his discussion of uses of zirconium in which he devotes with respect to early developmeiits iii this field, present dniost as much space to neurosurgical applications, which practice, and Iirocesses showing promise for future developwill furnish an outlet for a few ounces of zirconium per year, liletlt. xo better review of the present status of this subject :is t o nuclcar applications, and far less than is devoted to c:m be recoiriirieiided to tlie reader. clectroiiic applications utilizing pounds rather than tons of The physical properties of Irictallic zirconiuin are rezircouiuni. This attitude has a much more serious effect viewed iii a subsequent chapter which consists prirriaril>-of ;I IT ith respect to the author’s discussicin of radi:ttiuu ?Elihtiiig of available data. The reader will find this scctiliii fects on zirconium. Here he confines llis discussion to four useful for reference but will gain froin it a r i iiiaclequatc ap- references, one of which can be seriously misleading to tlic Ireciatioil of the interesting physical inetallurgy b e l ~ a v i ~ ~reader r unless properly interpreted. Even these references (if zircoiiiuni arid its alloys. ivere improperly abstracted in that the flus exposure was The book continues with t\vo leiigtliy b u t not very criti- quvted in terins of thermal flus, which probably lias little cal chapters on mechanical properties of zircoriiuiri and of iir no pertinence to property changes, rather than i i i tcrrrib zirconium alloys. Tlie author, apparently by oversi c i f fast flux. This lack of appreciation of the problems x i s cliosc t u iiiclude exactly the same curve (Figs. 76 anti itig during application appears to have led, for example, 111 in c x h chapter, and that curve of somewhat question complete omission of information CJU the technologically significance in the first place. Little or no discrimination highly important fatigue properties; t o omission of (lata 0 1 1 or clnlihasis is ciiiployed in discussion of the properties so liydrvgen pickup during processing arid operation, and 1111 tli:it tlic reader riot preriously informed on this subject control of hydrogen content; to an itiadequate discussioii 11 ould have difliculty in separating information of v:lluc for of the iiiechaiiical property effects of hydrogen; to no coliqiplication from that included merely for the sake of coin- sideration of the hazards and problems in use of zircmiulll pleteness. Tllc effect of heat treatment on properties o f in hot \rater systems; to lack of mention of the principal a])zirconium is often more profound than t h a t of tlie ainount or plication of zirconium in fuel clernents, much less of fabricanature of the alloying addition. I n most cases the treattion techniques such as roll bonding; t o scattered arid i l l iiieut prior to determination of properties is not specified c~iiripletereferciicc to the inajur coinmercial alloy of zirciiso that o d y doubtful interpretation and use of tlic data are iiiuni, %ircaloj--?, and no reference to its modifications; t o possible. failure to discuss tlie problems of surface finishing arid pickThe folhviilg two cliaptcrs are de\-lited to the chemical ling ~vliicliarc of such coniniercial concern and the effects of nieltiiig practice on \\-eldability, corrosirin resistance, etc. Iii-operties of zirconium. Here again one gaius the iinpresl’vhiy additional omissions could be added to this list. sion that the author has aimed at iticlusiveiiess rather than In suniinary, then, 1)r. Miller is considered t o have mude di~criininatiuiiand emphasis. For esample there appears to Iic little value, in :I book dated 1957, in devoting space to :i substantial coritrihuticin to the literature o l l retluctioii :111(1 Fig. 123 showing pressure changes 011 lieatiiig zirconiuni refining of zirconium nietal and its subsequent iiielting; tliilse liowclcr in nitrogeii without specificatioii of particle size, interested in the physical metallurgy, fabrication, and su1)selieatiiig rate, etc., particularly when data are available quent application of zirconium will find this book iuterestiiig pcriiiittiiig quantitative calculatioii. and helpful, but will find i t advisable to supplement the i i i formation by extensive reference to other literature. It was expected that the chapter oii alloying behavivr of zirconium would exhibit the high quality which one 113s TINGIIOUSE ELECI‘RIC CORPORATIOX coiiie to expect of discussions of this topic in British metalUETTIS ATOXICPon-ER D ~ v r s ~ o s BESJAMINLCSTMAS lurgical tests. In general the chapter confirined these es1’. 0. Box 146s Ixetatioiis. I t is, however, iiicoriiplete iti that the author, PITTSBERGII 30, PA. 1)robal)ly again by oversight, oinittecl incution of several sl-steiiis oil which inforination is readily :tvailablc. For es:iiii1~1c,the systems of zircoiiiurii with indium, zinc, and cadcreii tli~iughcach can t e of considerable Free Radicals in Solution, CHEVES~VALLISG, I’rofcssor of Chemistry. Columbia University. John JViley aud inetallurgical iiiipcirt:uice. .I further Sons, Inc., 4.40 Fourt!i Avenue, Sew York 16, N.Y. 1967. is tlie colicc;iliiient ( i f iiifiirin,~tiiiuo i l exiriiig pickling of z i r c ~ i ~ i i u i ~ i ~ ~ ~al~ ~ - ~ t isii i i u ~ i031 ~ pp. 15.5 X X3.5 cni. Price, $14.50. I ~ i y s ,which lias Ijeeti :i major subject ( i f c~i~iccrii, iii t h e tlis.\fter reading this biiuk I was compelled to look agnill :it cussiiiii of tlie zircoiiiuin~-urariiuiiibiiiary systetii. u itli i l l ) tlvu earlier n.orks ou Free Radical Cliernistry, xianlcly, “The iiides rcfereiicc to it that the re\ricn-er ~ r a ablc s tn fiiitl. ;Uipliatic Free Kadicnls” by F. 0. Rice and K. I(. Rice, and “The Chemistry of Free lbdicals” by W . r\. 1fTaters. The clinptcr t i i i melting practices iiiipresscd the reviewer Doing this gave oiie tlic proper perspective against which to as liciiig complete, critical, anti authoritative, aiid is again :!ssess the present volunie. It also brought home very forcrccouinieiitletl tu the reader as the 1, espmitioii available ibly how tremendous have been the advances in the chemisiii this field. On tlic other liaiiti, I I though zircoiiiuin try of free radicals in the p s t few decades. T h a t Professor 1iini(luctioii k i s cspandctl teil-f(ilt1 during tlie past four years 1J-aIling has been ablc to give such a very lucid, learned, and : r i i t l its fabricatioii Iias, during tllis period, iiiatle the ?raiisiticin froin largely g(iverniiieiit-i)l)cr3teti facilities to co~ii- detailed account of this enormous branch of clietnistry is nothing short of :mazing. tiicrciul fabrication, the nutlmr chosc to devote i i ~ imore il):ice tli this subjcct than !ic (lid in liii first editilin. In Professor JVallitig introduces liis subject with a chapter 0 1 1 Tlie Structure atid Physical Properties of Free Radicals. fact, tlic subsequent chapter O I I po\vc!er metallurgy of zir111 this lic discusses t h e cvidetlcc for the esisteiicc o f free cotiiuin occupies dimist :is iiiucli space :is that devoted to r,itlical~and iiiclutles ;L brief :Lccount of the recent paramagdl other fabricatioii, joiiiiiig, aiid surface fiiiisliiiig iJractices netic resmaiicc n-ork. Wii? cliaptcr is followed by a very V V ~ I Itilough no siguificaiit quantity of nintcrid is Iirescntl>. faIirie:ited by t he lornier tecliniquc.. ‘rlir reatler is tau- gooti uiie i n the Cheiiiic i
