book reviews As was the case with the first edition, the second will serve as a very suitable text for a one-year terminal course in chemistry such as the kind that is offered in nursing, health science, or medical technology programs, because it does not presuppose any previous background in chemistry on the part of the student and assumes only a limited facility in mathematics. However it cannot be recommended for chemistry courses that are intended for liberal arts or business majors because the presentation of the subject matter is aimed a t an attainment of its understanding rather than the appreciation of the subject itself. Raymond P. Borkawski ~ i n g ' sCollege
Wiikes-Bane, Pennsyivania
Polymer Chemistry
Bruno Vollmert, University of Karlsruhe. Springer-Verlag. 175 Fifth Avenue, New Yark, 10010, 1973. xv + 652 pp. Figs. and Tables. 15.5 X 24 em. $29.50. According t o the dust cover, "This book gives a comprehensive coverage of the synthesis of polymers and their reactions, structure, and properties. The treatment
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of the reactions used in the preparation of macromolecules and their transformation into eross-linked materials is particularly detailed and complete. The book also gives a n up-to-date presentation of other important topics, such as enzymatic and protein svnthesis. solution ~rooertiesof macramolerulrs. polymer rr)ptallmtiun, and properties nl polymers in the i d i d d a t r " This is afair assessment. Following a brief introduction and discussion of structural principles, a long (300 pages) chapter is devoted to the "Synthesis and Reactions of Macromolecular Compounds." The important distinction between step-growth and chain-growth polymerization is illustrated with well-crnceived figures. Then follows a detailed discussion of free radical polymerization, including copolymerization and emulsion polymerization. The concepts of initiation, propagation, termination, and transfer are first introduced qualitatively with lavish use of structural formulas (this makes for "busy" pages hut should he greatly appreciated by students meeting these concepts for the first time) and only then are the kinetics developed. Vollmert has deliherately and consistently kept the mathematical detail throughout this chapter a t a sophomore's level. None of "It can readily be shown" or "It then fallows"; equations are developed step-by-step and the final results are often illustrated by excellent graphs and figures. A background of organic chemistry and introductory calculus and physical chemistry (freshman level) is adequate preparation for this chapter and most of the book. Homogeneous ionic polymerization is
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treated comparatively hriefly and heterogeneous polymerization (Ziegler-Natta catalysis) receives a rather cursory-and outdated-discussion. Thus, the principal reference is to Patat and Sinn's 1958 paper; Cosee and Arlman's work is mentioned only in passing and out of context. The chapter concludes with discussions of step-growth and ring-opening polymerizations, hiasyntheses, graft and block copolymers, and, finally, degradative reactions. This half of the book (less comprehensive, of course, than Lenz's "Organic Chemistry of Synthetic High Polymers" hut mare comprehensive if not as readable as Odian's "Principles of Polymerization") is a good compromise between overwhelming detail and a qualitative overview. Chapter 3 (150 pages) treats "The Properties of the Individual Macromolecule" such as molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, and molecular size and shape. The physical nature of the phenomena and some of the underlying theoretical bases are discussed qualitatively; final equations are then presented without derivation and their applicability is illustrated. Here, as throughout the entire hook, the lack of specific references is a great handicap. Vallmert's many references are only to authors, without specification of journals or even a date. Appropriately, the only exception I found was a specific reference to Staudinger's 1926 paper espousing the macromalecular hypothesis! Thus, even though I knew what I was looking for, it required a ten minute search of Chemical Abstracts to find the work referred to cryptically in Figure 345 (Continued on poge A5501
book reviews as "G. Meyerhoff." Students will not be as patient, I suspect. This chapter is somewhat more up-to-date, very much easier to read, but not nearly as authoritative as the corresponding sections of Flory's "Principles of Polymer Chemistry" or Morawetz's "Macromolecules in Solution." The final chapter (145 pages), "States of Macromolecular Aggregation,'' treats polymer dilute solutions (mostly viscometry), gels, and the glassy and crystalline solidstate. The treatment is necessarily quite superficial in view of the broad coverage, but is adequate t o indicate the relation between bulk properties such as toughness, elasticity, etc., and polymer characteristics such as molecular weight, chain stiffness, crystallinity, etc. If this aspect of polymer chemistry is to be emphasized, as it should for engineering or material science students, Meares' "Polymers: Structure and Bulk Properties" would be a good supplement a t a slightly higher level. A comprehensive, 21-page index concludes the hook. "Polymer Chemistry" is a most welcome addition to non-specialist polymer literature. If it had specific references (perhaps in a second printing?) and if the price was not so high, I would adopt it as the text for a senior survey course in polymer science. As it is, I will request it for l i h r a q reserve and urge others to consider doing so too. Walter Dennhaussr SUNY at Butfalo Butfalo. New York. 14214
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Polymers: Chemistry and Physics of Modern Materials J. M . G. Cowie, University of Stirling. Intert Educational Publishers, 257 Park Ave., S., New York, 10010,1973. xi 298 pp. Figs. and tables. 15.5 X 23.5 em. $11.75.
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The lack of formal undergraduate instruction in polymer science in mast chemistry departments-despite the scientific fascination and great technical importance of the suhject-is well known. One reason, perhaps, why this may have been so in the past has been the lack of a suitable text. That excuse no longer exists: Cowie's bwk is excellent for an intraductory course based on organic and physical chemistry prerequisites. The plan of the book is to discuss the preparation, characterization, and utilization of synthetic polymeric materials. The first chapter introduces the reader in a broad and qualitative manner to all these aspects, to whet the appetite as it were. Then follow chapters an step-growth polymerization, free-radical addition polymerization, ionic polymerization, copolymerization, and polymer stereochemistry, the last serving to intrqduce heterogeneous polymerization. Here, as throughout the entire hook, there is a deliberate, carefully considered, and well executed lack of indepth treatment. Thus the entire "preparation" section is done-and done very well-in about 100 pages. Nothing really
essential has been left out and since each chapter of the hook ends with a list of general readings (usually chapters in recent monographs or more specialized texts) and specific references to journal articles, the student (or instructor!) who wants or needs mare details is well guided in his search. The next three chapters (the characterization section) are entitled "Polymers in Solution," "Polymer CharacterizationMolar Masses," and "Polymer Characterization-Chain Dimensions and Structure." The material (solution thermodynamics and hydrodynamics, light scattering, random-coil statistics) is intrinsically more difficult, and certainly much less familiar to students, than that of the first part of the teat. Cowie's approach is to present essential working equations (Flory-Huggins expression for AG,,.; definition of the Rayleigh ratio; Dehye's particle scattering factor P(0) for random coils; the relation between mean-square radius of gyration and mean-square end-to-end distance far random coils, etc.) either as hare facts or with a very brief explanation aimed a t making them physically plausible. Depending on the interests (e.g., molecular biologists or physical chemists) and abilities of the class, one might want to flesh out Cowie's treatment of some of this material. But for a broad survey course or for students (engineers or material scientists) more interested in bulk properties, these chapters read well and (Continued on page A5521
