SEPTEMBER. 1953
481
A TRW OF RESEARCH
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Vhcent du Vigneaud, Professor of Biochemistry, Cornell University Medical College. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York, 1952. xiii 191pp. 51 figs. 3 9 tables. 16 X 23.5 . om. $3.25.
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THE trail started when en attempt was made t o determine tho structure of insulin. The trail soon led to side problems, some large, others small; a t times the trail was continuous, occassionally i t branched. The trail is the thouzhts that went into 25 years of research an biochemical compounds containing sulfur. Professor du Vigneaud, constantly giving credit t o those who worked with him, writes an extremely interesting account of his work. The material a,as first presented for the Messenger Lectures given s t Cornell University in 1050, and later put in book form. The first problem reported was the study of the chemistry of insulin. I t led t o the investigat,ion of peptides in complicated proteins and finally t o the sulfur-containing amino acids. By investigating how methionine could replace cystine in the diet, the role of homoeystine was found. This soon led t o the concept of traosulfurstion. The description of t,he use of deuterium, and later radioactive carbon and sulfur, is vell done. The part that methyl groups played in the conversion of homocystine to methionine is taken up under "Labile" methyl groups. Were methyl groups oxidized and other oxidized products reduced, or did transmethylation occur? Again, isotopes were used to show that methyl groups were transferred intact. Soon other methyl donors were studied t o see how they participated in transmethylation. Attention was later turned t o the proteins and protein-like hormones from the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. The last section deals with the oxvtocic (uterine-contractine) -. and vasopressin (blood-preswe-raising) hormones. The amino acid composition was studied by ion exchmges and chromatography. Throughout the entire book the actual methods used are given. I t is of interest t o the reader that as soon as a new technique was developed, it was t o be found serving its useful purpose in the laboratory of Dr. du Vigneaud. Should the reader wish more information on any phase of the material covered in this text he will find adequate references, many of which weye added after the leotures were given. Thus the hook is up t o date. "The Trail" was interesting reading for this reviewer. He is quite sure it will be for all. ARTHUR FURST
STANFORDUNIVERBITTSOHOOLOF M E D ~ C ~ N E SAN FRANC~BN). CALIPORNIA
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ORGANIC SYNTHESES. VOLUME 3 2
Richard T. Arnold, Editor-in-Chief. John Wiley h Sons, Inc.. New York, 1952. vi 119 pp. 15.5 X 23.5 cm. $3.50.
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THISis the 32nd annual volume of the series of satisfactory methods for the preparation of organic chemicals. This volume, like previous ones, gives the equations for the reactions, procedures for production with arcompanying notes, and other methods of preparation for 45 different organic compounds. Four of these syntheses arenev.and presumably better than those published in earlier volumes, nine are of such general applicability that the number of specific syntheses is thereby increased to more than 20. The directions have been contributed by 61 different collaborators, located in 32 universities and colleges, three vavernment laboratories. and six industrial laboratories. in addition to members of t h e ' ~ d i t o r i a 1Board. The suggested directions have been further checked or verified by competent referees. Preparations are listed under common names and Chemical Abslmet indexing names far: Abietic aoid, Acrolein acetal, Alloxan monohydrate, 2-Aminohenzophenone, rAminocaproic
aoid, l,l'-Azodis-l-cyolohexanenitrile,~-Bromoethylphthalatuide, tert-Butyl hypachlarite, I-Chlor+2,6dinitrobenzeno, p-Chlorophenyl salicylate, 0-Chlorovinyl isoamyl ketone, Cyanogen iodide, 3-Cyano-&methyl-2(1)-pyridone. 1,Z-Cyclohexanedionedioxime, Cyclohexene sulfide, Cyelopentadiene and :3-Chiorocyclopentene, 2,4Diiamino-Ghydroxypyrimidine, 2,2-Diehloroethanol, 1,l'-Dicyano-l,l '-bicyelohexyl, 1,2-Di-l-(l-eyxna)-cyelohexylhydrazine, Diethyl Aa-cyclopentenylmdonrtte, Diethyl ethylidenemalowate, Dimethyl aeetylenedicerboxylate, 4,GDimethyleoumalin, 5,5-Dimethyl-2-pyrrolidone,asym-Dimethylurea, a,a'-Diphenylsuecinonitrilo, %Ethylhexanonitrilc, Ethyl orthocarbonate, 1,l'-Ethynylene-his-cyalohexonol,Flavone, IROdehydroacetic acid and Ethyl isodehydroacetate, 8-Ketoisooctaldehyde dimethyl acetal, Methyl p-iteetylbenzaate, Methylglyoraluphenylhydrasonc, Methyl 7-methyl-r-nitrovalerate, Naphthalene-1,5disuIfonyl chloride, Neaphyl chloride, l'henylaeetamide, Sodium nitlomalonaldehyde monohydrittc, &Tetralone, Thiobenzoie acid, and 10-Undecynoic acid. The cumulative subject indcx comprises all materid included in Volumes 30 to 32 inclusive of the series. This volume, usual, is printed in clear and legible type, subfitantially bound to withstand rigorous laboratory use, and in general mrets or exceeds previous standards of the serie~. The unique selection and applicability of the syntheses included makes the collertion oonsiderahly maro vitluitble than a hasty examination of its table of contents might indicate. All research minded orgenie chemists and industrial and university libraries will continue to purchase and use this latent addition to a valuable series. RALPR E. DUNRAR Nonm DAKOTA STATE COGLECE PAR~O N o. n m DAKOTA
COLLOID SCIENCE. VOLUME I: IRREVERSIBLE SYSTEMS
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Edited by H. R. Kruyt, President of the Central Nshonal Council for Applied Snenhfic Research in the Netherlands. Elsewer Publlslung Co.. Houston. Texas. 1952. rr T 389 pp illustrated. 17.5 X 26 cm. $11. T n ~ volume s is the first of two volumes on the subject planned by a group of Dutch scientists during the war. By the accident nf - - cirenmstanae. the second volume aoneared well ithead of the first, but the subdivision of ~ u h j c c matter t is such 8s to make the earlier appearance of the second volume of no disadvantage to the importance of the first. The general plan of this work was to give an upto-date treatment of colloid science, based as largely as possible on quantitative relationships and modern interpretation. I t was recognized that much of tho past history of the subject has been.devoted ta qualitative and empirical treatments, often of a very unsatiafsetory nature. The subdivision of colloid science into irreversible and reversible systems, the subjects of Volume I and Volume 11, respeotively, is offered &8 a great improvement over lyophabic and lyophilic or su~pcnsoidsand emulsoida. D o u b e less this subdivision is an improvement in alassification, but i t appears not to have a8 much flcxihility as aould be desired since there are large bordorlin~groups, such as the protein^ that do not appear to fit accurately either definition. The criterion of reversihiiity used is given in the preface as, "...colloid systems which can undergo phase change or phase separation reversibly.. . ." While it was not attempted to produce an exhaustive work, the result is adequate for many purposes, thougha few important subject8 have been scantily treated. It should he observed that Volume I, although introduccd as the composite work of scveral authors, is in fact a book written by Professor J. Th. G. Ovcrbeek with only an introduction b y Kruvt and s short contribution of 25 "weson ontical nrour!l.ties of ~
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