of the objectives of lecture demonstrations and student experiments gives general directions for construction of laboratory apparatus and a detailed description of methods for the preparation, handling, and liquefaction of gases, with special attention t o the gases most commonly used in the laboratory. The second, by far the larger, part of the b w k is essentially a laboratory manual far t-her-training courses. This part contains a very large nnmher of main experiments (252) and many minor ones (over 300) which are essentially tests on the substances prepared. I n working through the manual a student will gradually improve his general experimental technic and will learn to construct many di5erent types of apparatus, such as a muffle furnace, tube furnaces of various kinds, an electric furnace for the demonstration of the manufacture of phosphorus, devices for showing syntheses of and thermal dissociation of gases at high temperatures, apparatus for electrolytic preparations and for various types of catalytic processes, and a great variety of apparatus constructed of glass. The subject matter illustrated by these experiments is very broad, covering as it does every important phase of general chemistry. The point of view is not wholly preparative; the oraoerties of the elements and comoaunds t o be oreoared are illustrated in very ample fashion. Thus with the preparation of hydrogen, there are given experiments on catalytic hydrogenation, with the preparation of oxygen experiments on its separatiou from hydrogen by diffusion, on the production of oxygen by plants, on dust explosions, on catalytic oxidation, with the preparation of hydrogen sulfide experiments on its liquefaction, its thermal dissociation and its catalytic oxidation. etc. Not only is there a wealth of such illustrative material, but a great variety of methods of preparation is described Under the metals, for example, reduction of their compounds by hydrcgen, by carbon, by carbon monoxide, by aluminum, by iron, and by electrolytic processes is illustrated. The substances prepared include all those commonly made by students in general chemistry, as well as very inany usually taken up only in more advanced courses in inorganic preparations. I n some ways the book will, therefore, be valuable in the latter type of work; its disadvantage for this purpose is that little or no emphasis is p l e d on yields and that in many instances only enough of the substance is prepared t o give evidence of its formation. The book is excellently put together. I t has a very excellent index. The only criticism that the reviewer might venture to make is that, in the desire for "elegance," the experimental s e t u p described is often far more complicated than is either necessary or desirable. But such a defect is easily corrected in using the book, which can be highly recommended. H. I. SCRLESINGER L
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UNZVBRSITY OP CFXC*OO
CRICICO,ILL.
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Volume XIV of Organic Syntheses cont'ains directions for preparation of the following substances: aceta-9-cymeue, benzanthrone, benzopinacol, 8-benzopinacoloue, o-bromophenol, &chlaroethyl methyl sulfide, decamethylene glycol, diazoaminobenzene, 8-diethylaminoethyl alcohol. 2,6-dimetbylpyridiue, dipbenylmethane, diphenyl sulfide, ethyl acetosnccinate, gallacptuphmone, glyccrol u.ydibrumohydrin, plgcine ethyl estcr hydrwhloride. phydroxybrnruic acid. ?-llydroxy-3.;rdiiud+ benroic acid.. .0-hvdroavethyl . . . methyl sulfidc. dl-methionine. 5 rnethvlfurfural.. b-nitrodiobenvl . . ether. nitromesitvlene. &nitroobenvl isocvanate. nitrotbio~hene. .dl-8-ohenvlalanine. . . ~,~ ~~~~~, . There are also. as usual, a number of referases to later work concrrned with preparations described in previms volumcs, and a few additions and corrections for preceding volumes. We are particularly glad t o find among these additions, a cammunication regarding the preparation of n-heptyl alcohol, for there is still fresh in our mind an unfortunate experience with one of those "frequently.. . . . .noted lots of iron filings'! with which we were unable t o reduce n-heptaldehyde successfully.
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U N I V B ~ I OB T YMAILYLWD
COLLBOB PAllX. MD.
ELEMENTARY QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS. F. M. Brewer, Oxford University. Oxford University Press, New York City. 1933. viii 228. 12 X 18 cm. $2.00.
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Here is a new approach t o the study of qualitative analysis. The author has built up this text around the relation of the analytical schemes and methods of detection to the periodic table. After a brief introduction bearing on the theoretical basis of qualitative analysii, same fifty pages are given over to the proprrties and methods of idcntidcation of the common anions. and a somewhat grcatrr spare is devoted to the common cattons. Thc conventional methods and schemes are employed, though in the cation schemes the author has included in his " F i s t Main Group" the ions of Groups I and 11. His "Second Main Group" comprises the usual Group I11 cations and the "Third Main Grouo" includes the alkaline earth and alkali metals. The newcr tests, rcagmts, or nwrhods stem not tohc given. Equntions are e v e n in ~nolrrularform. Applications to equililxium thcory are not cmphnrired. l'rowdurcs are given fur the analysis of a single substance and for a mixture of s ~ h s t a n c ~ sThe . usual "dow-shcetr" or diamammatic presentations, so familiar in other tests, are lacking, though directions are clearly and fully given. The author is t o be complimented for the way in which he has correlated periodic properties with analytical behavior. Greater stressing of fundamental theory, ionic equations, and condensed procedures would make the book more complete and simpler for the beginning student to follow. The text might be used very profitably in conjunction with a course in inorganic chemistry. CAKL J. ENGELOER
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Tns ZTNrv~~srrr OP PITTSSIIRDA
ORGANICSYNTHESES,VOL. XIV. W. H. Hartman, Editor-inchief. John Wiley & Sons. Inc., New York City, 1934. vii 100 pp. 2 Figs. 15 X 23 cm. $1.75.
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An improved method for preparing dCmethionine should be welcomed by biochemists. Earlier in the volume we find directions for preparing 8-chloroethyl methyl sulfide which enters into the dl-methionine preparation. The reduction of ethyl sebacate by the Bouveault-Blanc method illustrates a general reaction by which other glycols, and simple alcohols as well, can be made. A number of glycols, prepared by the checkers according t o the directions given, are listed in the notes following the description of experimental procedure. Information like the above. regarding the scope of a type reaction, is particularly valuable in a volume like the one under discussion, and we are glad t o note that similar information is t o be found following the desaiptions of certain of the other preparations. Volume XIV of Organic Syntheses is a worthy addition t o a series which is indispensable t o the organic chemist. NATHAN L. DRAKE
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PITTS~"BE.,
PA.
N. Holrnes, ProINTROD~CTORY COLLOIDC A E ~ S T R YHarry . fessor of Chemistry, Oberlin College. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. New York City, 1934. xiv 198 pp. 34 Figs. 15 X 23 cm. 52.50.
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The aooearance of this volume simultaneouslv with the third cdition of the Laboratory hlanual of Colloid Chemistry by the same author is of cvnsidcrahle interest to .rudenu of this rapidly growing tirld of chcmistr). In no s e m r should it bc considered as a companion book t o the manual even though the subject matter is arranged in almost the same order. I n fact, introductory paragraphs of many of the chapters are almost identical in many instances with those in the manual. There are many additional points of similarity t o the author's laboratory manual. Among them we find directions for a number of experiments, so that this volume is something of a combination elementary text and laboratory manual. The experiments as given do not detract from the value af the book in the least. This volume should only be considered as an introductory and elementary book on the subject. As such it c o w s a surprising amount of material which in the main is well arranged and interestingly written. ~
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