possible; but then, the reader is referred to the original papers without being able t o guess Delahay's opinion of the origind papers. It is no exaggeration to say that this is the most important monograph on electmchemistry to appear since "New Instrumental Methods in Electrochemistry" was published in 1954. It could readily serve as a text for a year-long advanced course in electrochemistry. The book will be indispensable as a reference for a11 researchers in electrochemistry and electroandytical cbemistry. FREDC. ANBON California Institute of Technology Pasadena
presentation to students, although the papers were originally written for a different purpose. Because of its method of presentation - typescript - the textual matter is relatively inefficient in the use of space, while some of the reprints are reduced to such an extent as to be hard to read. In the second chapter the authors introduce energy level diagrams (Fig. 217b, 2-19) suggesting s. reversal of energies from the generally presented scheme due to substantial s-p mixing. The scheme seems unconvincing; one would like to see some reference to detailed calculations. In summary then, the book is a typical example of this series, with all its strengths and weaknesses. The overly naive approach may a t times be misleading. In spite of these weeknesses, the book p r e sents a somewhat novel approach and may well become useful in dealing with advanced undergdtdustes.
Molecular Orbitol Theory
C. J. Ballhausen, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, and Harry B. Gray, Columbia University. W. A. Benjamin, 273 pp. Inc., New York, 1964. ix Figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 em. Clothbound, $9; paperbound, $4.95.
H. H. JAFFB University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio
+
This is another volume in Benjamin's Frontiers in Chemistry series. According to the preface, the book "is based on lectures on molecular orbital theory . designed primarily for advancedundergraduate and first yeargraduatestudents." In distinction to most other recent texts in this area, the molecular orbital method is applied primarily to inorganic compounds; conjugated r-electron systems are completely ignored. Symmetry considerations are early introduced to simplify the treatments. This reviewer, although far from a purist, feels that the authors have possibly gone too far in the use of "our intuitive approach in the use of symmetry methods [which] is admittedly nonrigorous and . will be unsatisfactory to purists.. ." The first two chapters introduce atomic orbitals and the MO's for diatomic molecules. After a brief excursion into general matters-Electronic States, Hybridimtion and Band Intensities-the authors focus attention on a series of small mole cules-CO~, H90, NO2, Os, SO2, H.Os H&O, BzH~.The final chapter is a discussion of transition metal complexes. A series of appendices deals with a number of important mathematical problems. The format of this book is the one now familiar in tbis series. The main text is photo-offset from typed manuscript, and close to half the pages, but a substantially greater fraction of the text consists of "selected reprints of pertinent papers." This reviewer wonders whether such a highly informal, though marvelously rapid and economical, method of preparing a book does not tend to lead to a text which is overly informal, and, in spots, nonrigorous. The system of using about half the space for reprints of papers makes the selection extremely important, and assumes, maybe not always correctly, that papers, most of which are from 10 to 30 years old, still present the best available treatment, or the best treatment for
..
..
.
compounds of Cr(0)-Cr(V1) with neutral ligands and ligands forming inner complexes. Aquo complexes and compounds with acidic ligands are covered in Chromium, Part B. After preliminary classification by valence state, the many Cr(II1) complexes are typed as (CrLdP+,(CrXL6)q (CrXr Ldi, (CrXbLa),and (CrX,LJ-, where L represents a neutral ligand and X an acidic ligand. A chapter on inner complexes is classified according to the organic ligand. Theoretical asoects of electrostatic and
and the chromated a m dyes. This volume concludes the coverage of chromium in the eighth edition of Gmelin.
J. V. D.
Gmelins Hondbuch der Anorgonischen Chemie. 8. Auflage, System Nvmmer 16, Phosphor, Teil A
Edited by E. H. E. Pietsch and the Gmelin Institute Verlse Chemie. GMBH, Weinheim/~er~s&se, 1965: 510 pp. Tables. 17.5 X 25.5 xii em. 5116.
Physical Chemistry
E. A. Moelwy-Hughes, University of Cambridee. - . Endand. 2nd rev. ed. Pergamon Press, Inc., Long Island City, 1334 pp. New York, 1964. vii Figs. and tables. 16.5 X 25 cm.
+
The second revised edition (1964) of tbis book does not differ in any important way from the second edition (1961) or, indeed. from the first edition (1957).
provide even a useful introdudion to the new topics; thus, nuclear and electron spin resonance spectroscopy receive three and one-half pages. Despite such minor face liftine the bulk of the material has not been revized and most references in the book are to work prior to 1955. The advantages of the book remain its strong mathematical approach, unified viewpoint, freedom from errors and skillful blending of experimental data and theory. Its greatest disadvantage is the fact that it is now often quite out of date and the references fail to provide an introduction to the current literature. I t will continue to be useful as a reference work but will not be a satisfsetory textbook for most physical chemistry courses in this country. MAXT. ROGERS Miehigan State University East Lansing Gmelinr Hondbuch der Anorgonischen Chemie. 8. Aufloge, System Nummer 52, Chrom, Teil C
Edited by E. H. E. Pietsch and the Gmelin Institute. Verlag Chemie, GMBH. Weinheim/Berestrasse. 1965. xliii 431 pp. Figs. and 'tables. 17.5 X 25.5 em. 5102.
+'
.
-
This volume includes the literature published up to 1960 an the coordination
+
The history of phosphorus and its occurrence in nature are the topics covered in this volume. Most of the book is devoted to the occurrence of the element. This section is updated to contain chapters on extraterrestial occurrence, phosphorus in the hydrosphere, and phosphorus in the biosphere. Considereable space is rtho given to the phosphorus containing minerals.
J. V. D.
Electronic Struclure of Molecules
J . W. Linnelt, Oxford University. John Wilev and Sons. Inc.. New York. 1964. vii i 167 pp. ' ~ i g s :and tables.' 14.5 X 22 cm. $4.75. This book is one of the most important ever published in the field of chemistry. The ideas in it, when combined and integrated with those of R. J. Gillespie, can revolutionize the theory of the chemical bond. Until recently, valence-bond theory has had two principal weaknesses: first, the apparent necessity for the hybridization of atomic orbitah, and second, the a p pasent necessity for resonance in describing certain molecules. The firat of these weaknesses is eliminated if one accepts the theory of valenceshell electron-pair repulsion, which, as developed by Gillespie (THIS JOURNAL, 40, 295 [1963], and others), makes hybridiaation unnecessary. Linnett's book makes possible the elimination of the second weakness of the vdence-bond approach. Although Lin-
Volume
(Cunlinued on page 68)
43, Number I, January I966
/
55
