RECENT BOOKS PHYSICAL ASPECTSOF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY.William A . Watns, Lecturer in Chemistry, University of Durham; introduction by T. Martin Lomry, Professor of Physical Chemistry, University of Cambridge. D. Van Nostrand Company, Inc., New York City, 1936. xv 501 pp. 13.5 X 21.5 cm. $9.50.
descriptions of apparatus have been enlarged but are not claimed to be comprehensive. The first volume covers inorganic colorimetric analysis. It is intended as a reference work to which students may refer for a knowledge of practical colorimetric methods. Also, it is a source to which practical analysts may refer for information as to the methods available in the case of I t will he generally agreed that in presenting this account particular demands. The work is not intended as a laboratory of the electronics of organic structures and reactions, Mr. Waters and teaching text nor is it intended for reference work only. has performed a useful service for organic chemistry. The Critical estimations and evaluations, where a choice is permissible oeriod since the introduction of the electronic internretation of in the ease of alternative procedures, have been avoided by the valence has hren an artive ouc for organic theory, hut whuther authors. Opinions based upon literature citations are, however. hecauw of the rapidly changing state of tumrminty that ha, included. Theoretical treatments a t appropriate points in the been characteristic of the theory, or for some other reason, there development of subject matter have not been avoided nor have have been few books which have attempted to go beyond a limited they been overdrawn. Colorimetric technic or calculations have number of highly specialized applications. As a matter of long not been stressed. The volume appeals to those familiar with established practice, the writers of textbooks on organic chemistry analytical technic, well versed in the theory of analysis, and apavoid theoretical matters with great care, and the mass of expreciative of sources of information which are comprehensive, perimental observations is spread out, in such works, in a manner concise, critical, and practicable. which might be likened to a map without a crkirdinate system. The first nine chapters deal with classification of methods, This method of presentation has the great virtue that the material definitions of terms, theoretical considerations, discussion of may he arranged for its artistic value, hut, however satisfying accuracy, and types of standardization. The description of this may he, the student can hardly fail to he aware that progress aooaratus in this oortion of the material follows the usual .. along theoretical lines is taking place and his only recourse has cla.;;ification into the four groups. series liquid standards. d i d been the original literature. The volume a t hand, written with ,tmdardr, dilution and duplication. and thc more comprrhcnsivc the intention of giving a general outline of theoretical organic halancing ~ n c t h o d ~One I~urdruJ p3gI.F are dcvotc.d to thk chemistry, thus occupies a unique position a t this time and is portion of the work. bound to stimulate fresh interest in fundamental problems of The following 53 chapters (559 pages) deal with the description organic chemistry. of practical methods for analysis of 37 metals and 27 nonmetals Mr. Waters makes a clear distinction between ionic and nonand non-metal compounds a n d anions. The elements most ionic reactions. Concerning the former, i t is his opinion that extensively treated are copper and cadmium (35 pages), phosthere has a t last emerged a consistent electrochemical theory of phorus (35 pages). arsenic (26 pages), and iron (30 pages). organic reactions, and the major part of his b w k is devoted to an The last 4 chapters (57 pages) deal with colorimetric hydrogenelaboration of this thesis. Non-ionic reactions are dealt with ion determinations. This section is not extensively developed summarily in a chapter on free radicals. The first part of the but is none the less an important and valuable addition to the book includes also chapters on chemical affinity, physical theories work. I t will appeal to those making their first explorations in of molecular structure, valency, electrical dipoles, chemical this field, as the material has been well chosen and artfully prereactivity, and unsaturation. sented. The electrochemical theory referred to is, of course, that to The authors have made a distinctly valuable contribution to which Mr. Waters himself has lately been contributing, and with which are associated, among others, the names of Lapworth, the field. A volume on this subject is timely and it has been Ingold, Robinson, and Lowry. I t deals, as there is little need to brought up t o date surprisingly well. There are approximately mention, with the mechanism of the polar activation of organic 1700 references to the literature of the subject appropriately molecules, presupposing that such activation is the essential arranged to indicate their application to the various subject feature of reactions which take place in solution and under the branches. Nothing can he found seriously calling,fai'criticism. I t might inthence of ionized reagents. Among the subjects discussed in this connection are the followine: aciditv. of haloren be an improvement to avoid repetition of literature references; ,. reactivitv ~, compounds, grnrr:xl pol~rity, hydrolysis and e s t ~ i f i c a t i w ~ , for example, Chapter XVI, references 29, 46, and 63. Halftone ionutropic changr. ~nulcrulsr rwrrnngcmcnt, conjugation, and cuts, it seems, have been undesirably reduced in size. The tbestructure. suh~titution,ard rractivity uf arornaticcompounds. cheaper types of balancing colorimetric equipment should he Since nothing of a predictive nature is attempted, a pragmatic made to include the Bock-Benedict colorimeter. The drawings have been rather well done and the reductionfor reproduction is evaluation of the theory in its present form is scarcely possible. The book is well documented with references to original papers satisfactory. Figures 42 and 105 are essen?i@ly duplications. as well as reviews and other works. With a very few exceptions Misprints and typographical errors are few '(calorimeter for the references are dated prior to 1935, and thus, whtk the earlier colorimeter. page 29. is an example). One notable improvement could he made in the discussion of oaoers . . on resonance theorv are mentioned.. this strictlv modern throrrtiral dsvelnpmcnt docs not receive a great deal uf attvntion practical methods. The material on manganese (Chapter XXIV) The intrwluc~imI,? Proft.scnr I n w r v is rrccllenr. states that the standard method far this determination as shown in the 1925 edition of "Standard Methods of Water Analysis" of The American Public Health Association was the hismuthate and persulfate method. The 1933 edition gives as standard methods the persulfate and periodate procedures. I t has been COL~RIMETRK METHODSOP ANALYSIS,VOLUMEI. Inorganic. demonstrafed that the periadate method is much to be preferred. Foster Dee Snell, Ph.D., and Cornclia T. Snell, Ph.D. Second A reference to the latest edition of the Standard Methods would edition (greatly enlarged). D. Van Nostrand Company, Inc., have included this correction. New York City. 1936. xxiii 766 pp. 37 tables. 109 figs. This volume has been creditably printed, is pleasing and rest15 X 23 cm. $9.50. ful to the eyes, the binding is excellent, and arrangements This work is the second edition (first edition by l%xter D. splendidly executed. I t might have been better t o reduce the Snell, Van Nostrand. 1921); the objectives are essentially unweight of paper used and it would be more in keeping with altered. The material has been greatly enlarged and extended present trends to keep the cost down to a penny per page. Chemto include some iurhidimetric and nephelomctric methods. The istry teachers, advanced students, research analysts, routine
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