reviews Organic Chemistry, Fifth Edition
An lntroduction to Marine Biogeochemistry
T W. Graham Solomons. Wiley: New York, NY, 1992. xxix + 1253 pp. Figs. and tables. 18.5 x26.2 cm. $64.95.
Susan M. Libes. Wiley: New York, NY, 1992. xv + 734 pp. Figs. and tables. 19.7 x 24.2 cm. $59.95.
Areview of'the fourth cdttion of this text appeared in fh,s.lour. nnl(19R9, A187-ld81. Much ufthat w v i w still applnesm the finh edition. Visually, the text has been improved markedly. The cover is much more attractive. The text font is quite readable. The use of colors (text and arrows), which was distracting in the fourth edition, has been refined and enhanced. Many of the diagrams look much more professional. All in all, the text is pleasing to the eyes. Organization and content, on the other hand, have changed little. Like the fourth edition, the material is divided into 3 units. Chapters 1-12 cover introductory material, acids and bases, alkanes, stereoehemistry, alkenes, alkynes, alcohols, and canjugated unsaturated systems. Chapters 13-21 discuss aromatic chemistry, spectroscopy, earhonyl chemistry, phenols and amines. Chapters 22-25 survey biomolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and e n w e s , and nucleic acids). FiReen special topics are covered i n separate sections interspersed throighout the text. Sets of review problems follow the first two units. Organizational changes include the fallowing:
The biology and geochemistry of the oceans is indeed a "hot to&" in lieht of the need to understand and mnserve this vital resource. This text is a comprehensive overview of chemical weanography designed to meet the needs of undergraduates taking a one-semester course in marine chemistry. The author has divided the material into six major areas that include topics on the physical chemistry, the hiogmchemistry, the marine chemistry, and the estuarine chemistry of the oceans. In addition, related topics such a s the ocean's role i n producing petroleum, in moderating the greenhouse effect, in transporting environmental pollutants, and in yielding navel marine-derived drugs are discussed in interesting detail. Numerous diagrams, chemical structures, figures and fascinating tables (e.g., "Principal Diseases in Humans Caused hy Bacterial and Viral Contamination of Fish and Shellfish") make for engaging reading and should help students to understand and become enthusiastic about the hiogeoehemistry of the oceans. The author states that prerequisites for this text indude a twosemester survey of college chemistry and "facility i n algebra". I t is stated that a knowledge of calculus, while desirable, is not essential. However, i t is this reviewer's opinion that students having a hackground in bath calculus and organic chemistry would be in a much better position to make maximum use of the text, particularly with respect to the discussion of diffusion (Chapter 4)and of pharmacologically active marine compounds (Chapter 27). Although the text is designed for undergraduates and covers a wide range of topics, there are onlya total of 32 problems in the six Problem Sets that are strategically placed a t the ends of each of the major areas of study. Additional problems and discussion questions would have strengthened the text in terms of student learning. This work does include a n excellent glossary, helpful appendices, clear and useful diagrams, and numerous references. In terms of setting a n example for students, however, it would have been better had the two chemists ~ i c t u r e don D 105 been wearine " safety glasses while duing aquatic chemistry In rummary, thls is a valuable, well-written, needed, and carefull) assembled textbook providing both the theory and applications of marine hiogmchemistry.
1. Chapter 2 of the fourth edition has been divided into two chapters i n the fifth edition, Representative Carbon Compounds (Chapter 21, and Acids and Bases in Organic Chemistry (Chapter 3). The separate chapter on acids and bases helps emphasize their importance in organic chemistrv and eives a rood review. 2. The chapter on prcparorinna of nleohols from rarbonyl compnundi and Grl~mardur~anolithium reactions now fullows the alcohol chapter, whllc in rhc founh edition it preceded the aldehyde and ketone chapter. 3. The three chapters on aromatic chemistry used to he #11 (Aromaticitv).. #12 (Electrouhilic Aromatic Substitution). and 1114 ( P h m d s and Aryl Halldeal, with Spwtmscupy mtervrningas tr13 In the new edition. the aromnticrhnpters are now 12, 14, and 21
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Most of the organic chemistry content is unchanged. Few new problems have been added. As mentioned in the previous review, the treatment of IR and NMR needs develooment. More sample spectra should be included, and the quality oithe spectra updatkd, esoeeiallv the 6OMHz CW-NMR oroton soedra. KJV could ~ e r hapi he rdegated u, a spenal topic :as une i f my colleagues is fond of saying,-When u3s rhc last time the UV spertrum pmvided rhe critical piece of data for you to figure out the structure of an un-
Harold T. McKone Saint Joseph College West Hartford, CT 06117
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In conclusion, the content and organization of the fifth edition are very similar to the fourth edition, but the visual presentation vou will like the is much imoroved. If vou liked the fourth edition.. . fifth edition. BNC~.. Hathawav southeast Missouri State ~niversiiy Cape Girardeau. MO 63701
Reviewed in This
Once Upon a C h r i s t m a s Cheerylln t h e Lab of Shakhashiri Bassam Z Shakhashiri. Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison: 1101 Universitv Ave.. Madison. WI 537061322, 1992.58-min color VHS ~ i d e k a s s e t t e$30.00. . Make check payable to "UW Christmas Lecture." Bassam Z. Shakhashiri, Pmfessor of Chemistry a t the University of Wisconsin-Madison, has, for the past 22 years, presented a n a n n u a l Christmas program, Once Upon a Christmas
Issue Reviewer
% W. Graham Solomons, Organic Chemistry, Fifth Edition Susan M. Libes, An Introduction t o Marine Biogeochemistry Bassam T: Shakhashiri, Once Upon a Midnight Cheery/ In the Lab of Shakhashiri Monographs New Volumes
in Continuing Series
Bruce A. Hathaway Harold T. McKone George B. Kauffman
A251 A251 A251 A252 A253
Volume 69 Number 9 September 1992
A251
