PROGRESS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY VOLUME 3 Edited by I. W. Cook, Principal, University College of the South West of England, Eaeter, and Fellow of University College, London. Academic Press. Inc., New York, 1955. viii 273 pp. Tables. 1 6 X 25.5 om. $7.80.
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THIS is the third volume edited by J. 8 .Cook in the series on "Progress in Organic Chemistry." Descriptions of recent developments in selected fields oi orgnnic chemistry are presented and the gemwal pattern followed is that employed in tho preceding volumes. The five topics discussed in the present, volomo and their reviewers are: "Total synthesis of steroids,'' J. W. Cornforth; "Son-henzenoid aromatic compounds," W. Baker and J. F. W. McOmie: "The fnlvenes," E. D. Bergmann (h,v far the most comprehensive, comprising same 91 pages with 360 references); "Organic compounds of lithium," E. A. Rrsride; "Indole alkaloids," V. Boekelheide and V. Pmlog. The stated intention is to ennhlc organic chemists t o keep abreast of new knowledge and to give the specinlist in one aspect of the field a convenient summary of what is happening outside t,he %re%oi his o m immediate interest. I n this the reviouws h a w snrcneded. In each case
the reviewer is s, recognized authority on the subject of his chapter and one who has played a n active part in its advancement. The reviews may he considered authoritative. The subjects discussed are of wide interest and cover fields in which rapid advances are being made. A strenuous effort hes obviously been made t o hring the reviows as up t o date as poasihle. This hns been aided by reviewing the manuscript in the pl.oof stage. The typography and binding ssr excellent.
METHODEN DER ORGANISCHEM CHEMIE. BAND nr: PHYSIKALISCHE FORSCHUNGS METHODEN. TEIL I Edited by Eugen Miiller. Fourth edition. Georo Thieme Verlao. Stuttoart. 1955. xdx 954 pp. &'figs. i8.S x 2 6 cm. $38.50.
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INTHE ninth century, Agnellus, the good Bishop of Ritvenna, w i ~ h c d to write a sciies of biogr~phiesof his predeaessors. The complete absence of source materials was no great handicap since, "with the inspiration of God and tho pragors of the brethern," he related boldly what his human intellect was unnble t o declare. Now this technique is not altogether unknown to those who write "progress repwts" and theses. For those chemist,^, however, d m s e inspiration is now at-
tenuated and who no longer desire t o live dangerously, "Die Methoden" will be a most welcome guide. This volume, in particular, will be of interest to organic chemists inasmuch as i t deals with the ever expanding relations of organic e h e m i ~ try t o physical techniqncs. This volume considers 16 physical techniques or methods of basic importsnee in organic investigations. The first section (9G pp.) deals with thermodynamic properties and their measurements. Basically, i t considers the laws of thermodynamics and chemical aifinity. Following this there are presented methods of calculating internal cnergy, entropy, equilibrium, and fol.ces between molecules. Section 2 (G4 pp.) is a n excellent review of the techniques of memurements and analysis of kinetic data. Section 3 (5(i pp.) descrihes the various methods of determining the density of solids, liquids, and gases. Part 4 (36 pp.) sets forth the general methods for determining the solubility of sdids in liquids, liquid8 in liquids, and gases in liquids. Chapter 5 (72 pp.) considers the methods of determining the vwpor pressure and the carrelstion of data with empirical expressions. Section 6 (44 pp.) reviews the methods of determining the molecular weight af molecules of low- m d e m d a weight hy gas densit,y and loworing of the vapor pressure and iweaing points. Part 7 (78 pp.) tveats the problems oi measuring moleeula~~ xpighta of m;trromolerules by (Continued on page A476)
