BOOK REVIEWS All of the problems are organized in relation t o the periodic table and typical prohlem that require computation of numerical answers include equilibria, standard potentials, stability constants, thermodynamic properties, etc. Particularly noteworthy is the omksion of problem concern~dwith radioactive nuclides. This volume could he used as a supplement in courses in inorganic chemistry at the advanced undergraduate level or perhaps the first year graduate level. GEORGEW. WATT University o j Tezas Austin Modern Synthetic Reactions
H. 0.House, Massachusetts Instit,ute of Technology. W. A. Benjamin, Inc., 309 pp. Figs. New York, 1965. x and tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. $9.
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Professor Herbert 0.House is to be congratulated on his skill in organizing a very large amount of synthetic organic chemistry into a compact volume. This hook is aimed a t a n advanced undergraduate sudienco, hut will undouhtedly find favor with many practicing organic chemists 8s well. Needlese to say, the coverage is far from encyclopedic. The first three chapters are devoted to reductions using catalysts, metal hydrides, and dissolving metals. Two chapters on oxidations with chromium and manranese-containins reagents, nnd with P P P . B ~ ~P n l rheir l dr.riv.+tlvrs follow. Flnnlly, dis, w e i m s uf haI+ gmntwn, 3lkylarlon of arrtve mrrhylrne compounds, the aldol condensation and related reactions, and C-acylations complete the volume. The chapter headings are interpreted broadly, 80 that the scope is broader than one might expect. Far example, a twelve page discussion of the Wittig olefin synthesis is included within the "aldol" chapter. Even though many important reactions have been excluded from this volume, a much more important point to note is that the material that is included is all most worth while. Although there are many reactions which this reviewer would have liked t o see mentioned (such as the LiAIH, reduction of propargyl alcohols to allylic alcohols, the Winstein dehalogenation technique, and the many functionalizations of unactivsted positions), this is largely amatter of personal taste. Several festurea of Dr. House's book are especially praiseworthy, First of all, he has done a n outstanding job of finding really uptc-date references, so that the designation "modern" is fully justified. Secondly, the emphasis throughout is on actuallllahoratary application. Equations, which are liberally used, specify reagents, solvents. reaction temoeratures. and
indiesting convenient commercial sources for some of the more specialized reagents. I n spite of this practical orientation, how-
(Continued on page A.914)
BOOK REVIEWS ever, the author has succeeded in integrating diseuslssions of the mechanistic and stereochemical aspects of most reactions very smoothly with the rest of the text. The overall result is as coherent and rational a discussion as each reaction permits. Inevitably, t,here are especially pretty examples of some reactions not included in House's selection. For this reader, however, there are many more eases where previously unfamiliar but interesting examples of resetions are cited. The most serious criticism of this book is the weakness of its index. The absence of any aubhor index is to be deplored, since msny organic chemists tend to associate reactions with their discoverers or exploiters. This depersondization is most unfortunate, and can hardly he defended on the basis of the triviality of assigning priorities. A stronger subject index could also be desired. For example, although useful references to ruthenium tetroxide and lead tetraacetate are given on p. 81, these reagent,^ are not indexed a t all. Perhaps t,hese shortcomings can be corrected in a second edition, if not in later printings. I n spite of these minor shortcomings, this book is a resounding success. A second volume, filling in some of the major gaps, would he most welcome. The only other recent book with similar orientation, Fuson's "Reactions of Organic Compounds," has the advantage of a broader
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I t s style is all the more commendable when one considers the joint authorship. The chapters are not identified as having been contributed h y m y individual and, in fact, the style is quite consistent through the book, suggesting very careful editing. Although assuming a reamnahle sophistication in stereochemistry, it starts with basic principles and works t,oward the more complex both through the book as a JERROLD MEINWALD whole and within individual chapters. Cornell University I t can be read comfortably by any firstIfhaca, .lie?" l'ork year graduate student and would guide an undergraduate willing to do the suggested supplementary reading to an underConformaliond Analysis standing of the field. Ernest L. Eliel, University of Notre The authors remained true to the title Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, N o m n of the book and thus it is only those asL. Allinger, Wayne State University, pects of stereoisomerism and stereochemDetroit, Stephen J. Anggal, University istry which are functions of conformatimal of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, change which are discussed. The reader and George A. Mowison, University of should not expect a general stereochemical Leeds, England. Interscience Pubtreatise. Eliel's earlier text, "Stereolishers (a division of John Wiley and chemistry of Carbon Compounds" (J. Sons, Inc.), New York, 1965. xiii CHEM.EDUC.39, 543 [1962])provides a 524 pp. Figs. and tables. 15.5 X modern review of that topic. 23.5 om. $15. Two introductory chapters are followed by a unique summary of the ways in This hook, appropriately dedicated to which all of the common physical measD. H. R. Barton, is excellent to the point urements have been applied to ronof serving as a model for the modern formational analysis. Ring systems other organic chemistry monograph. The style than cyelohexane (covered in Chapter 2) is such that i t can he read enjoyably as are analyeed in Chapter 4. The fifth well as rewardingly. I t is not abbreviated chapter examines the conformational to that terseness which has marred some aspects of steroids, triterpeneoids and advanced works. I n style I would ranialkaloids hut the steroids are more thorpare it to the Fiesers' excellent "Sleroids" (Continued on page A916) monograph. mope, hut is much less successful in its blending of practical m d theoretical content. The smaller House volume has a more contemporary viewpoint, and probes more deeply into its material. "Modern Synthetic Reactions" ie certain to provide the nucleus for msny advanced organic chemistry courses; in addition, it deserves a p l ~ o eon the bookshelves of every active organic chemist.
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