book reviews ground as it pertains t o salt, about the only use this reviewer can envisage for the book in a college course would be information for a paper in a non-science oriented chemistry course. Donald B. Summers New Mexico State University Las Croces. New Mexico 88001
It is not a book which should be cansidered as a research tool. References are scanty. Many statements are made about mechanisms, byproducts, procedures, etc.. without references to the original work. Each chapter concludes with a bibliography as a guide to further reading. This work provides a broad introduction t o the polymer field for anyone with s hackground in basic organic chemistry. J . A. Moore Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, New York 12181
Organic Polymer Chemistry
K J Sounders, Ryerson Polytechnical Institute, Toronto. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1973. ix 473 pp. Figs. and tables. 24 X 16cm. 518.00
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This hook treats the synthesis and, in same instances, the modification of polymers which find technological use. For the mast part, only polymers of commercial significance are considered. It is organized by the functional groups in the polymer and each commercial polymer containing that functionality is discussed as an individual subunit (1, Basic Concepts; 2, Polyolefins; 3, Polystyrene and styrene copolymers; 4, Poly(viny1 chloride) and related polymers; 5, Poly(viny1 acetate) and related polymers; 6, Acrylic polymers; 7, Fluoropolymers; 8, Polyethers; 9, Palyamides and related polymers; 10, Polyesters; 11, Cellulose and related polymers; 12, Phenol-formaldehyde polymers; 13. Aminapalymers; 14, Polyurethanes; 15, Silicones; 16, Epoxies; 17, Sulfur-containing polymers; 18, Palydienes; 19, Miscellaneous polymers). Thus, the chapter entitled "Polyethers" contains several suhheadings which include "Polyformaldehyde," "Polymers of Cyclic Ethers," "Polyethylene Oxide," etc. These provide an introduction to the preparation and polymerization of various monomers on the industrial level illustrated by chemical equations. Degradation and stabilization of the particular polymers is also discussed. Industrially useful copolymers (of the polymer under discussion) are mentioned, where applicable. The physical properties of the various polymers as well as their commercial use are also provided. The hook is well written, easy to read, concise, and contains sufficient equations so that most statements can be readily followed. It is a specific book, in that it deals solely with commercial polymers and generalization to other systems is not emphasized, hut may be inferred. It can be understood after two semesters of organic chemistry and it may find use by advanced undergraduate-beginning graduate students as preliminary reading matter before going on to more advanced books such as "Textbook of Polymer Science" by Billmeyer and "Organic Chemistry of Synthetic High Polymers" by Lenz. However, it does not contain any description of the physical chemistry of macromolecules and therefore, does not constitute a "complete package." In addition, specific criteria of performance (tensile strength, etc.) are given without a background or frame of reference. A596
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Journal of Chemical Education
An Introduction l o Air Chemistry
Samuel S. Butcher and Robert J Charlson. Academic Press, New York, 1972. xiii 241 pp. Figs. and tables. 15.5 X 23.5 cm. 510.95.
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This book is designed to he a textbook for a course in air chemistry. A strong emphasis is placed upon the relationship between analytical chemistry and metearology. It is also designed to be a reference work for persons such as meteorologists, laboratory chemists, and technicians working in the area of air pollution. The chapters in the book are (1)Introduction (the evolution and composition of the atmosphere and atmospheric chemical cycles); (2) Summary of Chemical Principles (principally a review of physical chemistry); (3) Sampling and Collection; (4) Treatment of Data; (5) Special Methods of Analysis (a discussion of gas chromatography, spectrometry, neutron activation analysis, mass spectrometry, remote sensing with lasers, and correlation spectrometry); (6) The Atmospheric Chemistry of Sulfur Compounds; (7) Nitrogen Compounds and Ozone; (8) Carbon Compounds; and (9) Aerosols. In general the book is well written. It contains a large number of timely references which are up to date. The quality of production is goad and it appears to be free of major errors. The illustratians are well done, though not elahorate, and are adequate in number. The extensive glossary of terms is a very useful feature. Although the authors have assumed only a background in general chemistry, same organic chemistry is presented. A more balanced text would have resulted from assuming a background in organic chemistry and including much mare discussion of reactions of organic compounds in the atmosphere. Important omissions from the hook are a detailed discussion of the principles of photochemistry and a discussion of some of the proposed mechanisms of photochemical smog formation, It is not possible to treat some of the more important aspects of air chemistry in a meaningful way without a basic understanding of photochemistry. Although the mechanisms of smog formation are still obscure, some of the main features of the process are known. and a detailed discussion of same of the proposed reaction sequences involved in the process should have been included.
(Continued onpoge A598)
