addition to the literature. I n fact,, it m i y well serve a need beyond these stated limits by providing the general reader or professionals working (or starting to work) in vsrims related branches of polymer science wit,h a convenient introdrtction to the subject of physical behavior of polymers. The subject is a basic one and, as a Editor: W. F. KIEFFER timely st,atement of the fundamentals, the College of Woosfer volume is of real value. The volume is very well-written and is recommended Wooltor, Ohio highly. The chapten of the volume describing transit,ions (chapter 3), viscaelastic heFive indexes are provided a t the end of havior (chapt,er 4), stress response(ehapter the hook, grouping suppliers, appamt,m, 5 ) , rdt,imate (failure) response (chapier 6), ant,hors, subjects, and a relisting of t,he and elect,rical-optical properties (chapter reagents according to types. 9 ) are generally excellent. Sections of Plans are announced to revise and sunthese chaptem and other chapters, however, seem to be, but not excessively so, written down or over-simplified or less conare invited. fidently handled. For example, the forThe aothors are well-known and remulas for cellulose (page 31) and for oriqpected and deserve the thanks of many of ented polystyrene (p. 125) and the treat11s who will soon learn to reach for this ment of the concept of branching (p. 50) quick reference hook a5 we plan our preare probably hardly adequate for the parative organic experrments. stated purposes of the v o l ~ ~ m e The . subIt.P. PUTERBAUGH ject of the kineties uf polymerization reacbinns is not mentioned. These situaAshland College tions may he contmmted with the bold Ashland, Ohio 44805 (and most welcome) assertion on p. 120 that "it appears that polymers ~howiog essentially metallic conductivity will soon Orgmnic Polymers be developed," or with the well-reasoned statemeut. on page 8 recommending a Turner Alfrey and Edward F . Gurnee, compromise, tentative working hypot,hesk both of the Dow Chemical Co. Prenapproach to the fringed-micelle/folded tice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New chain morpla,logical concepts. These i l l 131 pp. Jersey, November 1067. i r sights, and there are m m y more, wodd Fim. and tahles. 16 X 23.5 cm. 86. seem to be mosl helpful as well a? ehnlThis volume provides "an intradnctory lengiitg for t,he m l l m ~ .intended ~' audience. survey of organic polymers a8 materials." They certaiuly make the vohtme interestI t is concerned with physical-particularly ittg rendillg. mechmic~l-properties and their depen0 1 1 halance, this is xn excelleut vuhme which deserves wide ncceptmtce, belongs it, dence on molecular st,mcture, and is written for the nndergradoate engineer or every library (not j w t 1eclrnir:al libraries), beginning graduate student with no prior nnd shodd he a t hand for every profescontact with polymer science. Within sional to assist in his interdisciplinsry comthese stated limits it is a very welcome munications needs and opporlonities.
book reviews Reagents for Organic Synthesis
I,. F. fiaer and M . Fieser, Harvsrd University. John Wiley & Sons, h e . , New York, 1967. x 1457 pp. 16 X 24 em. $27.50.
+
This book is claimed to he the first onevolume extensive treatment of organic experimentation to concentrate on the preparation, properties, and uses of reagents. Anyone doing organic experiments, advanced nndergraduate or graduate stndent, or pract,icing chemist needing knowledge of modern procedures, will find ibis book most helpful in his search far valid and critical information about the various reagents t,hst may he wed. More than eleven hundred reagents, both organic and inorganic, are listed alphabetically with struotural formulas. molecular weights, physical canstsnts, preferred methods of preparation or pnri f i d i o n , suppliers, and examples of nignifiennt uses. Ahondant references docnment the information, and clarifying flow sheets show molar ratio of reactants, reaction conditions, and yields. When necessary, the information is critically presented. Common practices that are illadvised are identified; preferences are indicated when choices exist,, and warnings ahout hazards are emphasized. Considerable use is made of material from "Organic Syntheses" ; nearly 207" of the references arc from that source.
+
L. F . Fieser and M . Fieser, Reagents for Organic Synthesis Turner Alfrey and Edward Gurnee, Organic Polymers John D. Roberls and Marjvrie Caserio, Organic Chemistry Problems Robert F. Gould, editor, Advances in Chemistry Series. Volume 71, Lanthanide/Actinide Chemistry Harry Bloom, The Chemistry of Molten Salts Virginia R. Williams and Hulen R. Williams, Basic Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences W . I . Taylor and A . R . Batlersby, editors, Organic Snhstances of Natural Origin. Volume 1, Oxidative Coupling of Phenols G. Snattke, editor, Optical Rotary Ilispersion and Circular Dichroism in Organic Chemistry Irrellrding Applicationsfrom Inorganic Chemistry and Biochemistry Margaret H. Back and Keith J . la idle^, editors, Selected Readings in Chemical Kinetics Halvor N . Christasm and Graham A . Palmer, Enzyme Kinetics Eduard Farbcr, Oxygen and Oxidation. Theories and Techniques in the 19th Century and the First Part of the 20th S. Walker and H. Slraw, Spectroscopy. Volume 2, Ultra-violet, Visible, Infrared and llama" Spectroscopy E. II. E. t'irlseh and the Gn~elinInstitute, edit,ors, Gmelins Handbnch der Anorganischen Chemie. 8. Auflage, System Nummer 48, Vanadium. Teil B, Liefernng 2, Schluss der Verhindm~gen. Legierungen. Koordinationsverbindungen E. H . E. I'idsrh and the Gtnrlin Instilulu, editors, Gmelins Handbnch der Anargnnischen Chemie. 8. Auflage, System Nummer 34, Qneckxilher. Teil B, Liefe~mig2, Qoeeksilher-Ilalogenverhir,d~~ngen
Ihc&~+oH. W ~ L E V Cili(!lUniuersilp of Ncrv York NEWYork 10021
Organic Chemistry Problems
John D. Roberts, California. Institute of Technology, Pssadena, California, and Marjorie C. Caserio, Univenity of California a t Imine. W. A. Benjamin, 324 pp. Inc., New York, 1967. vii Paperbound. $2.95.
+
This book contains more than a. thoosand problems with answers for ahont half of them-indoding, u a d l y , one for each type and far the more difficult prohlems. No descriptive or explanatory material is part of the book; tahles of ir absorption hands and proton shifts are presented. Oreanisation of the 22 chanters is hv
ventbnal and of very modern problems. Nomenclatltre is adeqnately treated, es(Continuetl on page A5801
96
/
Journal of Chemical Education
Lanthanide Chemistry; Developments in Chemical Thormodynamies of the Lanthanides; Preparation and Ident,ification of Divalent Lmthxnide Ions as Dilute peeinlly bemuse many of tho structwal Sobttes in Alkaline Emth Halide Solid farmulns cited for other prohlems are Solutions; Flrrorito-Related Oxide P h a e s vnried enough to he osed a? ~mnenclatnre of the Itsre Earth and Actinide Elements; exercises. A large group of conventional and Aqueous Oxidation-Reduction R e synthesis and "give the prodnct of the actions of U, Np, Pu, and Am). The refollowing" is offered. Stereochemistry is maining 20 articles report original experiespecially emphasized. NMR and ir are essentially concentrated in one chapt,er in a mental or theoretical resuks. They range in length from 3 I / ? pages and 12 references well-gradusled approach. Comparisons of reactivity, of acidity, of st,ahility, and (Octahedral Hexahnlide Complexes of the q,~estionsinvolving mechanisms are very Trivalent Actinides) t,o 26 pages and 203 Inlmel.ous. "Compound A" ot. rondmap references (Recent Advances in Act,inide pmhleme arc f d y represented, includand Lanthrtnide Chemistry). Although the rare earths have bcen known for xling x number which use nmr and ir. The hook is not a ~ e i s s o ~ a n d - p a sjoh most two centuries, the emphasis hero is on te recent work, particularly that carried out fl.orn the Roberts and Caserio texts; a during the sixties. Nore than 900 referc~irsnrysnrvey shows that relatively few of ences are cited. the prohlems are direcily from their texts. This set is n well-organized select,ion of I n line with the general approach of the classical and modern problems which symposi~lm,most of the articles deal with wonld be especidly usefr~l for organic several or with the ent,ire group of Isnchemistry students who are not using thanides and/or actinides, buL in a. few Roberts andcnserioor Morrison and Boyd. eases, one element is singled out for special, Instructors would find it helpR11as a sopdetailed treatment (Tetravalent Praseoplementxry hook-considering the readymium Compounds; Europium Chelates sonable price of $2.9.5-far assignment of as Laser Materials; Uranium-Transition creative homewol.k problems. Metal Double Oxides; Bk(II1)-Bk(1T;) Couple; MoFrUFa System; and UO.FR.\NKL. L ~ M I I E R T (Bod. and NaUOzBO*). Extensive use Occidental College has been made of instrumental methods; Los Angeleu, California magnetic data; absorption, electronic, and EPR spectra; stability constants; and redox potentials are well represented. New results not yet present in general chemistry texts are common. For exAdvances in Chemistry Series. Volume ample, prior to 1960, only three lantha71, Lonthonide Actinide Chemistry nides (Sm, ELI,and Yh) were known to exist in the divalent state; evidence of B (A symposium held a t the 152nd Meetdispositive oxidation state for all tho lming of the American Chemical Society, thanides is given here. Ileavy emphasis New York., September 13-14, 1966. has been placed on solid state and nonPaul R. Fields and Therald Moellar, aqueous chemistry; the interesting new Symposium Chairmen). Edited by claas of halides with metallic character, Roberl F. Gould. American Chemical Laa+(I-lee-, and the use of europium Society, Washington, D.C., 1967. x chelates as lasers may be cited as cases in 359 pp. Figs. and tables. 15.5 X point. Research in the latter area, in23.5 cm. 811. cidentally, ha4 unequivocally demonstrated t,hat tripositive lanthanides prefer The beginning chemistry student's the unusual coordination number of eight knowledge of the lare earths is usually with bidentate ligands such as @-diketones limited. Although the lanthanides and and orthophenanthroline, a fact worthy of actinides constitute two of the largest note in general chemistry counes. natmxl groups of metals (more than Lanthanides and actinides are not one-fourth of the known elements) and usllally considered to be strong complex although they have heen the object of informers, yet a large number of different tense research activity since World War coordination eomponnds are discussed in 11, they are still largely neglected in the this volume, e.g., those with fluoride and general chemistry course. acetate ions, octamethylpyrophosphoraThe volume under consideration here, though of limited value for actual classmide, Bdiketones, and N-subst,itnted iminodiacetic acids as ligands. One of room instruction, is of educational inthe most exciting new developments in eoterest in that i t not only reflects the state ordination chemistry has been the use of and trends of current research in the fiold gas chromatography in t,he study of volahut i t also stresses similarities, diNerences, tile, thermally stable metal complexes. and relationships between the 4f and 5f Perhaps the mast striking of such applicaelements, which, according to Leroy Eytions has been Robert E . Sieved separaring, "provide one of the most valuable tion of the lanthanides by this techniqne. testing grounds in all of chemistry for any Sievem' paper on Yolatile Rare Eart,h t,heory which may be advanced." The Chelates of 6-Diketanes, included in the boak consists of 28 papers (13 on lanvolome, summarizes much nsefd dabs. thanides and 12 on actinides) by 50 conSince 1049, the ACS Advances in Chemtributors, selected for the most part from istry Series has done yeoman service as an those presented a t a symposium cmponoutlet for symposia and collect,ions of sored by the Divisions of Inorganic and Nuclear Chemistry st the 1B2nd ACS dat,n in special arms of topical inlcrest. Alr. I?. F. G o d d and his staff are to hc eonNational Meeting (1966). gralulaled for providing n p~hliration Five of the articles are of the review medium for symposi\lm papers that w~ldcl type (Recent Advances in Actinido and
book reviews
+
A560
/
Journal of Chemical Education
olherwise he fragmented and rlistrih~rted among several journals or nut prthlished a t all. I n p?rticdnr, they deserve thanks for relieving symposium chairmen of the onerous burden of refereeing, editing, and indexing n. uo.zl, number of papen. Yet s. minor complaint seems in order here. I n all the adverlisements for this excellent series, the names of the symposinm chai~.men are ncver mentioned. Let us hope that a revision in ACS advertising policy will occur in time for Paul R. Fields and Therald hIoeller to receive recognition for making possible this vahmble contribution to theliterntwe.
Cal$ornia Slate College Frcsno 93726
The Chemistry of Molten Soltr
Hawy Bloom, University of Tasmania. W. A. Benjamin, Inc., 1067, New York. xiv 184 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X
+
23.5 em.
%lo.
Although two general books of nn ndvaneed nature, and numerous, more specialized, ~eviews and small volumes an molt,en salt chemistry have appeared in recent years, there has been in this reviewer's opinion n very noliceable need for a compact bnt compl.ehensive book on t,he subject which could be read in a few evenings' time. Bloom's book is designed to fill this need and should be welcomed by scientists and students requiring a brief introduction to molten salt chemistry, ss well as by teachers who may wish to include this suhject in a special topics course. The book is designed ss a. text and includes a large number of well drawn figures and diagrams, n~tmeronstables of ilh~strnt,ive data, and a set of problems a t the end. While the problems are not parlic~dxrlyimaginative or challenging, they do give t,he reader an opportunity to perform some manipulations of his own on real experimental data and to acquire same feeling for t,ho numbers encountered in molten salt chemistry. This is an important pedagogical aim, and the author and publisher are to he commended for including the problem set. The author claims to have written for seicnt,ists with a chemistry background eqnivalent to that ohtained in an ordinary ~mdergraduatephysical chemistry course, and for the most part he does in fact keep his discnssians at this level. Occasionnlly, theories or equations with which the nenior chemistry major might not be expected to be familiar are introduced in somewhat summary fashion, e.g., the relationship between free vob~meand ultrasonic velocity or the absolute renetion rate espression for viscosity. These depa~.turesfrom tho stated level of the boak are, however, generally well referenced and arc furthermore bo some exteut rlnnvoidnble in s hook of this compactness which deals wilh n subj e d of this scope. Bloom has been qnite thomngh in his coverage and devotes some spnre tn all of
