Chapter 5, Chemical Bonding, intmduces electrostatic theory, the variation method, and molecular orbitals. Valence bond calculations for the hydrogen molecule are described, and finally the hyhridization of s and p orbitals is considered. Unfortunately this is not extended to include a similar treatment for d orbitals. Chapter 6, Inorganic Stereochemistry, presents a very interesting examination of electron correlation and a discussion of the stereochemistry of molecules in terms oi electron repulsions. Chapters 7 and 8, Electromotive Force and Acids and Bases, treat these subjects in an adequate manner. Chapter 9, CoArdination Chemistry, constitutes an excellent introduction to recent developments in transition metal chemistry and includes a comparison of the crystal field, ligand field, and valence bond theories. Magnetoehemistry, stability, and spectra are treated in more detail than is usual. Chapter 10, Nonaqueous Solvents, is closely related to chapter 8, and the topics such as solubility and acid strength are treated quantitatively. The final chapter, Theory of the Nucleus, is an introduction to nuclear structure and radioactive decay. Many excellent illustrations and tzbles are to be found throughout, and each chapter is followed by a set of references to the recent literature. Although free use is made of mathematics, derivations me carried out in detail; and only a knowledge of basic calculus is required. I t does seem regrettable that no problems or exercises are provided. For a year's course, most teachers will want to supplement this text with a good book covering the descriptive chemistry of the elements. This book nil1 not replace any of the standard works in quantum chemistry. I t can be recommended as providing a very interesting and timely introduction to bonding and structure. It should serve to stimnlat,e the mathematicallv inclined stu-
R. STUARTTOBIAS
University of Minnesota, Alinneapolis
Orgqnic Chemistry
Ilay Q. Brewster and William B. IllcEwen, hoth of the University of Kansas, Lawrence. 3rd ed. Prentice-Hall. I . Englewood Cliffs, New ~ e r s e y ; 1961. x 854 pp. Figs. and tables. 10 X 23.5 cm. $10. ~
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This undergraduate textbook has not been written along t h e conventional lines of organization hut rather is a combin* tion in which the aliphatic and aromatic compounds are kept separate and in which react,ion mechanism considerations are
in the text. Thus, conformations appear in Chapter 2, which considers alkanes. The same chapter presents the chlorination of methane as n free radical reaction, including initiation stage, propagation
steps and possible termination reactions. Ionic reaction mechanisms are introduced in Chapter 3 in connection with the synthesis of olefins and the mechanics of ozonolysis and t h e addition of halogens t o double bonds. Thus, as the material is presented, i t is possible for the lecturer to speak in a more sophisticated manner shout mechanism as well as about syntheses. It hecomee unnecessary to srwe the discussion of reaction mechanisms and conformational asnalysis as a surprise in a later part of the year. After a short introductory chapter, Part 1 considers aliphatic compounds in chapters 2 through 22. Chapter 18 is a special chapter on eiptrans isomerism and unsaturated acids. Chapter 19 emphs, siaes optical isomerism along with halogenated, hydroxy, aldehydic and ketonic acids. Tautomerism and base-catalyzed condensations are considered specifically in Chapter 20. I n Chapters 21 and 22, amino acids, proteins, and carbohydrates are taken up. Part 2 concerns aromatic can~pounds. Among ttromatic hydrocarbons, which are first discussed, are nonclassical aromatic compounds, such as tropolone, aaulene, the tropylium cation, the cyclopentsdienide anion, and ferrocene-all explained on the basis of Hiickel's rule. The usual types of aromatic oompounds are each treated in a chapter. A numher of miscellaneous topics are dealt with in chapters on alicylic compounds and terpenes, heterocyclic compounds and alkaloids, organometallic compounds, and polymers. The chapters on organometallic compounds and polymers draw on hoth aliphatic and aromatic compounds. Problems are provided in two general categories for each chapter. The first is made up of drill questions for which answers will be found in the text: the second
text. Among the second class are many problems which require quantitative reasoning from numerical data, which this reviewer considers quite appropriate and necessary t o the general treatment of orgmic chemistry. Among the special topics which are considered in the later chapters in the text are the atactic, isotactic, polymers based on t h e Newman stereochemical formulations of trans and skew conformations; treatment of orgmometallic compounds of zinc, cadmium, mercury, germanium, tin and lead, silicon and iron and msngnnese, as well as the more commonly discussed derivatives of magnesium and the alkali metals; the position of substitution in heterocyclic rings based on transition state structures rather on ground state structures; and conformational effects on t h e reactions of cyclic compaunds. This hook is designed to suit t h e instructor who wants a modern first-year text which is of sufficient scope so as to allow some selection of topics, and for those who feel they would prefer to treat aliphatic and aromatic chemistry as two separate lines of development.
Practical Physical Chemistry
Arthur M. James, Chelsea College of Science and Technology, England. J. and A. Churchill, Ltd., London, 1961. xiv 339 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 24 cm. $6.30 net from publisher.
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This is a laboratory manual of physical chemistry compiled to meet the needs of elementary as well as more advanced courses in several types of degree-granting institutions in Great Britaiin. As a result i t includes many experiments which currently, in the United States, would be included in volumetric analysis or elementary instrumental mdysis rather than in physical chemistry. With the present trend toward offering physical chemistry earlier in the curriculum, teachers of such courses will find many of these more simple experiments highly desirable. The hook contains introductory chapters on Errors and the Mathematical Treatment of Results, including a brief section on report writing with a model report; Instruments for Measurement of Mass, Volume, Length, Time, and Temperature, with empha~ison the use of the balance; Electrical Instruments; and Optical Instruments. This material takes hut 87 pages and is limited to concise descriptions of typical instruments with hrief theory and methods for their use. The chapter on optical instruments is somewhat more detailed than the others. While this material is excellent for laying a general foundation, the average student will find more specific directions, or personal instruction, necessary. The 162 experiments which follow are logically arranged in 11 chapters covering the entire range of physical chemistry with the exception of nuclear chemistry. The variety of experiments is greater than that in any single manual published in the United States. Nearly all of the rustomary determinations are represented. I n many cases, several experiments of increasing difficulty are offered under one heading. The directions for each experiment include a. statement of theory with equations, "requirements" in terms of apparatus often with a line drawing, a very hrief outline of procedure without details of specific techniques, and a, statement of the calculations or graphs required. The writing is simple, direct, and rarely uses terms unfamiliar in this country. While most of the experiments might be described as routine, several are ingenious and deserve special mention. Experiment 5.6 is the determination of surface tension by an unusual double capillary method and involves a test o i the constancy of the Parachor. Experiment 5.9 determines the interfacial tension of benzene and water and serves to test Antonoff's rule. Experiment 6.4 involves an interesting apparatus for studying the rate of effusion of COz,but the directions are so brief as to leave some questions as to the exact procedure. Experiment 11.17 on the thermal decomposition of ammonia. on a tungsten filsment is unique and most interesting, as are several on adsorption and colloidal properties. Some very goad
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