book reviews The fourth chapter (17 pp.), endirely the contribution of Editor-in-Chief William L. Jolly, presents a new general procedure for a simplified approach t,o organometallic synthesis based upon the deprotonation of weak acids by potaqsium hydroxide. The fifth (25 pp.) and sixth (56 pp.) chapters deal with fluorine compounds and miscellaneous nonmetallic compounds, respectively. The latter includes two com~oundsof the noble (formerly inert) gks xenon. I n keeping with the emphasis on syntheses that are "applicable to s. variety of related compounds," an unusually large number of general method? are given. Preparations possibly simple enough for use in underlrraduste courses might include lattice-s&ilised complex i&s, K4[Mo(CN)8], K3Mn04 ("magnetically pure" and free of COS), "cobaloximes," hexacoordinate complexes of bis(2,4pentanedionato)cobalt(II), ferrocene, nickelocene, and square planar dichloropalladium(I1) complexes. Unusual oxidation states, which can always be depended upon to add spice to inorganic lahorntory courses, are well represented. A variety of preparative techniques are employed, such as the use of nonaqueous solvents; grrs, thin-layer, and column chromatography; ion exchange; sealed tubes; vacuum systems; dry boxes; controlled inert atmospheres; low or high temperatnres; powerful reducing agents; high pl.essure fluorination; halide exchange reactions; high temperature chemical transport. reactions; and the Grignard reaction. A change in policy that t,his reviewer has called for in previous reviews has been made, but it may not be obvious to the casual reader. Contributors and checkers are now provided with proofs of their contributions, a procedure that should go a long way toward reducing errors that have occasiandly crept int,o earlier volumes. Unfortunately, although the series is considered a journal in book form, reprints a t r e still not provided. h i d e from this minor complaint, the volume is highly recommended as providing reproducible methods far the synthesis of a. large number of interesting compounds. Dr. Jolly deserves our spccis1 thanks for his yeoman service as contributor and checker as well a3 Editorin-Chief.
training of chemists has been deficient in understanding of electromagnetic properties of matter and a resort is made t o psendo-scientific models whenever an explanation is needed t o account for some magnetic property. To get out of the "dark ages" has usually required more physics m d exposure t o qoantnm mechanics than the average chemist has been willing to invest in. Dr. McMillnn has written a book intended to fill t,his deficiency with ease and mhstance. A t,rinitsrian division is used to present the theory, the measurement of magnetic susceptibilit,ies and electron paramagnetic resonance. In the theory section magnetic polarization, vector models of atoms and molecules, the theory of magnetic susceptibilities, thermodynamics of magnetism~,and the symmetry of molecules and cry&& is offered in n hundred pages. I t is obvious t,hat brevity is needed, and mrgery is required to nccomplish t,he task. To this reviewer, it is clear that the author has accomplished his goal t,o write a book "not intended for specialists"; hut "far chemists doing research in other fields and for chemistry students." The sections on magnetic susceptibility and electron paramagnetic resonance measurements are presented with an emphasis on solid^. Much detail is given and even hint,s on techniques based on the aut,hor's experience are given. The book concludes with a number of appendices containing the t,ahles usually expected in this type of hook such as atom configurations and terms, magnet,ir moment,s and the inevitable character tables of the single groups. The drawings arc clear and well done and eant,ribote t,o t,he presentation. Cert,ainly this book ought t , be ~ considered as part of m y advanced inol; ganir chemistry course a?a source text. PAULB. DOHAIN Bmndeis TJnivwsity Wallham, Mass. 09164 Practical Inorganic Chemistry
G. Pass and H . Sutcliffe, both of the University of Sdford, England. Barnes & Noble, Inc., New York, 1968. xvi +225 pp. Figs. rtnd tables. 15 X 22 cm. $6.50.
At double the price this book represents money well spent by any practicing inorganic chemist or student of chemistry. The authors have succeeded in their ststed g o d (the preface): ". . . we have attempted to emphasize the relationship G e o ~ ~B.l i KAUFFMAN between theory and practice." Physically California Slate College the book is well illustrated and well built. h a n o , Calif. 93788 This is a n excellent hook for use in a senior or beginning graduate level course in Inorganic Preparations. It can also be Electron Paramagnetism used by the professional chemist as a day-to-day reference to relate theoretical Juan A . McMillan, Argonne National and laboratory discussions in comparative Laboratory. Reinhold Book Carp. (a chemistry. The student will not be oversubsidiary of Chapman-Reinhold, Inc.), helped if i t be used in a preparations 228 New York, March, 1968. xi course, and the professional chemist will pp. Figs. and tables. 15.5 X 23.5 be greatly aided by the suggestions and em. $14.50. the continuity which he will find thereinespecially if he is deding with an unEvery modern chemist regardless of familiar area or with an ares he may have field is a t one time or another in the course brushed only lightly during his own trainof research interested in the magnetic ing. properties of molecules. Generally the
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A44
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Journal o f Chemical Education
The format of this book operates smoothly from a discussion of typical elements in s, comparative standpoint in Chapter 1 through a series of preparations rtnd practical laboratory work to suggested instrumental and analytical work. More specifically, the oxo-acids and am-acid salts and high temperature reactions are treated in Chapters 2 and 3. Next, the elements of the first transition series are treated, then some special compounds: coordination, clathrate; double salts. Then, stabilization of oxidation states is treated, electrochemical ooidation-reduction, stereochemistry (including optical phenomena); catalysis, nonaqueous systems, inorganic polymers, high vacuum techniques, inert atmosphere techniques, spectroscopic techniques, eanductsnce measurements, gas chromrttography, magnetic measurements, and finslly potentiometric methods. Throughout the discussions in these specific arean are: (1) preparative directions with references, (2) specific questions thet stimulate further experimentation and observation, (3) cautions a n potentisl hazardous operations, (4) suggested analyses and instrumenlal met,hods, and (5) discussions on tho fundament,als of what, is happening (e.g., there is a brief, hut leading discussion on thermodynamics of reactions, elect,rochemical equations and idem of significance, kinetic effects, and an introductory explanation of standard inst,rument operation and theory). An introduction is also given in the use and general interpretation of spectra. For student. use the book will, of course, need supplementing by lectures and other references. The latter point is made clear by the authors. However, these authors have tucked neatly int,o 225 pages one of the mast outst,anding pract,ical books that hes appeared in many years. I t is unique; i t is not just preparations, not just theory, not just a series of experiments and exercises, hut it does, very succinctly emphasize the relation between theory and practical laboratory work. Tulane University New Orleans, Lmisiana 70118 X-Ray Structure Determination: A Practical Guide
George H . Slout, and Lyle H . Jensen, both of the University of Washington. The Macmillan Co., New York, 1968. 467 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 xi X 24 cm. $16.95.
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Elements of X-Ray Crystallography
L e a i d V . Aiaroff,Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut. McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1968. xvi 610 pp. Figs. and tables. 17.6 X 23.5 em. $15.75.
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Until recently, the application of X-ray diffraction techniques to the solution of crystal 8tructures was restricted to professional crystallographers willing to devote many months to the tedious work of collecting and analyzing data. I n the (Continued on page 4 4 6 )
