minor. Thig is a nicely conceived and, with some minor exceptions, well-executed hook. I t is medium sized, reasonably priced, and presents a blend of background materials, fundamental c0nceDts. and clinical chemical methods which is appropriate for students in an introductory level course. In topic coverage, it is intermediate to those books that are primarily laboratory manuals, and those that are comprehensive reference texts. I believe that the authors have attained their stated purpose, and in doing so have developed a book that deserves fair consideration by anyone requiring a beginning textbook in this discipline. Fred F. Farris North Dakota State University Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences College of Pharmacy Fargo. NO 58105
Inorganic Chemlstry A. G. Sharpe. Longman Inc.. New York, 1981. xv 682 pp. Figs. and tables. 15.5 X 23.5 cm. H8 $58.00, PB $25.00.
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The book isstructured withthe first eight chanters devoted to eeneral orineioles and theory. Interestingly, the first chapter is devoted tu nuclear chemistry; chapters 9- 17 give a systematic coverage of representative element ehemistry. Chapters 18-27 present transition metal ehemistry beginning with structure; continuing with bonding, electronic structure, magnetism, thermodynamics, kinetics, carbonyls, organometallics; and concluding with descriptive chemistry of each transition series. In these respects the hook is similar to Cotton and Wilkinson's "Advanced Inorganic Chemistry" and Lagowski's text. While each chapter has a briefly annatated list of additional readings, there are no references to the primary literature as carried in the former treatise, in Huheey, and in Purcell and Kotz. However, each chapter is concluded with a set of five to ten questions unlike the "Advanced Inorganic Chemistry" treatise, but resembling the shorter "Basic Inorganic Chemistry," Huheey, and Purcell and Rotz's two bwks. The text is written in a smoothly flowing style with well integrated references to the industrial uses of man" comoounds. Thermodynamic coniiderations are wldely included and reprerent a particular strenphuf this text. Terms are precisely defined (Hooray for the definition of electron affinity free of a sign wnvention a t long last!), and various references t o thermodynamics are reemphasized with cross referencing. In keeping with the author's soecial research interests. the chapters on halogen (ripcrially flurtrine) and chnlrogenide chrmirtries are especially atrthoritatively wntfen. l'oo, the publishers A248
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have produced a remarkably accurate text with only a minimum of tvpomphical er.. . . rors. There are some eeneral deficiencies in the text: (1) its rather elementary treatmen1 of chemical bonding, (2) i t s wry weak section on molecular structure, the symmetry coverage notwithstanding; (3) its dated treatment on kinetic aspects of transition metal chemistry; and (4) its virtual omission of inorganic advances in biological systems. The followingspecific comments are made an individual chanters. 1. Thr tirpr pan of this chapter ia quite elemcntary, hut the last section on the wpnm t i m of isotopes ir enlightening as is the discussion on techniques for structure determination using nuclear properties (including a quite useful appendix). 3. Discussion pertaining t o the electron configuration of K, 4s versus 3d, appears t o he out of date; however, the introduction of term states is done in a quite informative way. More general trends might have been discussed or references made to group tables, e.g., for ionization potentials or electron affinities. 4. As noted above, the bonding treatment is somewhat elementary. Moreover, little or nothing is devoted t o secondary bonding forces. A proper distinction in definition is drawn between hond energy and hond dissociation energy. 5. A greater level of emphasis on structure predictions is t o he expected here. The latest development, M. 0. structure predictions from Wdsh diagrams, is not coverd\iSEPR and hybridization coverings are marginal. There is a good defense of the Pauling electronegativity scale. 6. Along with useful applications of thermodvnamics in Born-Haber evcles. . . Madeluninumhers nrr correctly defined and ra. d m mtic, rules awcririrdly disru~sed. 7 . Hydratim uf ims. elrrtrodr potentials, and aqueous acid strengths are examined in the precise language of thermodynamics. 8. A succinct account of inorganic chemistry in nonaqueous media is given, including a discussion of the liquid sulfur dioxide solvent svstem. 9. Thermcdynnmir nrprrts of hydrogen and its compound* are treated critically, setting the stage for similar treatments i u the subsequent chapters an descriptive chemistry except for the chapter on noble gas compounds. 18-19. Traditional coverage of transition metal eeometries. electronic structure.. and magnetism are given. (:rystal field splitlings are given fur grumetries in nddrtion tu O h , ' h . and D4h 20. Ionization energies are approached creatively here along with other thermodynamic aspects of crystal field theory. 21. As noted previously, this chapter is antiquated. Far e m p l e , no reference is even eiven t o oreanic brideine .. ,. erouos .. , in innersphere electnm tmnsfw whrrr most of the significant developmentn have occurred over the past two decades. 21-23. Carbonyls and organornetallies are succinctly covered again in quite traditional ways. 24-27. These last chapters render short exeernts on the chemistries of elements withtn their giwn transition wries, h ~ i n g espcrially limited for the lanthnnide and nrtinide series
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Overall, the author places heavy emphasis on descriptive ehemistry which is firmly dependent upon sound thermodynamics. For the reviewer i t was most enjoyable reading and most informative in the representative element ehemistry. Most of the transition metal chemistry treatment provided the necessary basics, but lacked an air of excitement for what is occurring in the various fields of enquiry. As noted repeatedly in this review, the thermodynamic lessons are numerous. For anyone whose major emphasis is teachine modern descriotive chemistrv with h n ~ a dstrokeson strucrure nnd hondmg, the text i s rwummendtd, and ir shwrld Iw on the shelved d a l l reachers 01 inorgnnic rhemiatry for its noted richness. David E. Pennington Baylar University Waca. TX 76798
Polymer Chemistry: An lntroduclion Raymond 8. Seymour and CharlesE. Carraher. Jr., Marcel Dekker, New York, 1981. xvi 564 pp. Figs. and tables. 15.5 X 23.5 cm. $29.75.
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This hook is one of the most concise and readable introductory polymer chemistry textbooks. It is published as Volume 8 of the Undergraduate Chemistry Series. But, its broad coverage of polymer chemistry and large number of useful datatables, make it a valuable asset in either an advanced course or a orofessional's lihrarv. The oublisher's preri wlraitx state that it is l,uilt upon the seniur a ~ t h u r ' searlier tcxtbwk Huwver, bcyond basicorganhation, it is separate and improved. The sixteen chapters of the book are arranged in three general groups. The groups are structured to address the questions of how, what, and why of polymer ehemistry. The first erouoine .. is four ehaoters (138 . no.) covrring the physical aspects. These aspects include srrreurhemistr)., crystallinit)., rheology, lnolecular \\eight, and rtreis-strain relationships. The second group, comprised of six chapters (205 pp.), is devoted t o the chemistry, especially preparation, of polymers. Among the subjects discussed: naturally occurring polymers, step reaction polymerization, ionic polymerization, free-radical polymerization, copolymerization, and inorganic polymers. The third group contains five chapters (103 pp.) on the technology of polymer utilization. In this section, the diverse areas of fillers, reinforcements, stabilizers, the reactions of polymers, and synthesis of reactants are discussed. Thestyle ofwriting is to make direct reference t o the polymers discussed in the previous group. The strengths of the book, besides its readability, include the use of many, useful ready-reference tables. One is a 32-page list in the appendices of current trade names, polymei classifications, and manufacturers. Further, each chapter concludes with a summary, bibliography, and set of problems (with solutions). I hnprealesr weaknesi is the large amount of int'urmnt~cmcornparred under the single rover. h h t attempb t,qmn the prpsent day
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academic-industry rhrmistry gap have this prol,ltm. The instnmor who is knowledgeable in polymer chemistry s h d d h a w no problem using the hook. This hook should become a new standard polymer chemistry textbook. I t will easily rank above Sevmour's earlier effort. and in time wall c
