book reviews lntroductlon to Medical Chemlotry
D. MaeLean D. Euons, University Hospital of Wales and John Rowen Jones, Laughborough College of Education. Harper & Row, Publishers, New York, 1976. xii 276 pp. Figs. and tables. 19 X 24 cm. $11.95.
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This text presents an attempt to provide an insight into the complex biochemical processes found in living systems through arudimentary understanding of chemistry. The level of the book is such that previous knowledge of chemistry is not essential. Although the authors have not stated in the preface for what course the teat is designed, it can be assumed that it is meant to provide an introduction to chemistry for students in biomedical or paramedical fields of study. Each of the 32 chapters representsa topic in which volumes of knowledge could be described. As is commonly found in texts with a broad scope, this book covers a multitude of topics a t the expense of depth and detail. The approach tends t o be descriptive in nature and clear statements of the concepts that the student should retain are not presented. There are no study questions or exercises a t the end of ehaoters to aid the student in gnmng nn unrlrrdandinl: of rhe rlmrrprpresmted nnd n rriermrcp ur sug~rstsd readings are given to promote further study. The first nine chapters (54 pages) give a short summary of basic chemical principles wine a classical amroach. These c h a ~ t e r s
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A46 1 Journal of Chemical Education
describe the structure of atoms and molecules, electrical attractions and repulsions, chemical equations, electrochemistry, combustion, and respiration. The biological significance of the concepts is rarely directly established although there are frequent referrals to later chapters. Next is a description of the biologically important elements and the roles they play in living systems. The chapters on carbon chemistry and shapes of organic molecules serve to introduce a 50page overview of biochemistry. Chapters 29 and 30 deal withchemical information of diagnostic importance which is derived from the analvsis of bod" fluids. The coneludine chapters (15 pages) give an introduction to radioactivity and some medical uses of radioisotopes. Overall the text is well written and is e a s y to read. There are copious margins and areas surrounding figures which give the text an uncrowded feeling. These spaces may be useful places for the reader to jot down additional thouehts. ouestions. and informnsome of the anatomy figures while the rather sensational half-page photos of the atomic bomb survivor and the victim of overexpaawe to X-rays are better left in black and white. In my opinion, this text is best suited for a general information-type course far high school students interested in the health seiences or for an adult education class for those considering changing their career to a health related field. Patrick S . Gallery university of Mwima Eaitimore. 21201
Principles of Mdssbauer Spectroscopy. Studies in Chemical Physics
T. C. Gibb, University of Leeds. John Wiley & Sans, h e . , New York, 1976. 254 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 24 em. $27.50. In 1971, Greenwood and Gibb published
volume is mare s&ed as a textbook. isnot, however, simply an abstract of the previous work. as demonstrated bv the recent refer-
requiring a moderately comprehensive but basically non-mathematical introduction," and seems to accomplish its purpose quite successfully. It would be suitable either far an advanced-level special topics course or for individual studv on the eraduate level. The
technique, this approach gives the reader a good feel for the ehemieal problems to which the technique has been applied. The book is divided into 11chapters. The first twomesent a eeneral summarv of theorv and method. Basic equations are presented and their significance discussed, but the mathematics is kept to a minimum in general. Surprisingly, however, although the exact formula for maximum intensity, (in terms of a Bessel function) is given on p. 12, the simple
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book reviews and useful approximation for thin absorbers of concentration proportionality for intensity is first mentioned much later, in a chapter entitled "Analytical Applications." Although the line-shape formula is given in an early chapter, the fact that peak area is a useful analytical parameter, more linear with concentration than intensity, is not discussed. Three chapters are devoted to structure and bonding studies, divided neatly into molecular and electronic structure, diamagnetic and paramagnetic comp~unds.Example eases are considered which show the unique information Miissbauer spectra provide. Separate chapters are given to oxides, allays and intermetallics, and to biological systems. Other chapters concern impurity and decay after-effects and dynamic effects. The latter contains a good summary of relaxation studies, uncommon to an introductory text. This reviewer missed seeing some conversion tables in the hook, especially isomer shift conversions between various sources. The SI unit of Tesla is used throughout the book for magnetic flux density, but a conversion to the more popular Gauss is buried in the text on p 110.' About eight typographical errors were found, the only serious one being asubstitution of = for - in the equation for A m , on p 96. The book is in general quite readable, and is recommended as a comprehensive introduction to the chemical aspects of Mksbauer spectroscopy. 'Since the Mh-ssbauer literature is confusing in its use of the terms flux density, R , and internal field, H (numerically equal in the older units, Gauss and Oersted), it would have been helpful if Gibb discussed this point. His usage of R in Tesla is the accepted one by IUPAC. Lawrence H. Bowen North Carolina State University Raleigh. North Carolina 27607
Thermometric Titrations
J . Rorthel, University of Regensburg, Germany, with R. Wachter, University of Regensburg. John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1975. xi 209 pp. Figs. and tables. $19.95.
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The book consists of nine chapters: General Introduction, Theoretical Basis for an Analysis of Thermograms, Methods of Thermometric Titration, Acid-Base Titrations in Aqueous Solutions, Titrations in Nonaqueaus Solvents, Thermometric Precipitation Titration, Thermometric Redox Titrations, Formation of Compounds and Complexes, Problems of Complexometric Titration, Instrumentation in Titration Calorimetrv. The final chaoter is authored bv Professor ~ u d o l p h~ a c h i e r . The book is suitable both as an excellent reference source and as a text for courses dealing with thermometric titration techniques. The author has reviewed the various aspects of thermometric titration thoroughly from the theoretical aspect to its application to a wide range of chemical problems. Newer techniques including direct injection enA48 I Journal of Chemical Education
thalpimetry (DIE) and thermometric enthalpy titration (TET) are well covered and documented. Numerous examples are given of the application of the.method to a wide variety of chemical and physical systems. The hook is not without fault however. In the chapter on lnstrumentation inTitration Calorimetry, Fig. 9.9 is upside down, Fig. 9.11 is completely out of date, and on page 185, a precision titration calorimeter is described in detail as an example of a system of instrumentation but this calorimeter has not been described in the literature (reference is to a paper in preparation). Many excellent titration calorimeters have been described in the literature which have produced proven reliable data and it issurprising that an unknown and untested instrument is described in such
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In general, however, the book will make a valuahle reference source and teaching aid to those wanting to know more or those active in the field of thermometric titration. Reed M. Iran Brigham Young University Provo, Utah 84602
The Practice of NMR Spectroscopy With Spectra-Structure Correlations lor
Nugrnt F. Chamberloin, EXXON Research and Engineering, Ca., Texas. Plenum Press, New Yark, 1974. xxiv + 424 pp. Figs. and tables. 22 X 28.5 cm. $29.50. This is a major compendium on proton high resolution nmr spectroscopy written for the working chemist by a working chemist, Nueent Chamberlain of EXXON'S Analvtieai Research 1,aboratary. Most books a n spectroscopy (or almost any other area of chemistry and physics) are written on a scholarly level with little genuine "hands on" information about taking and interpreting a spectrum. On the contrary, this book is immersed in the practice of high resolution cw nmr spectroscopy and unlike many authors, Chamberlain has not lost sight of the beginner's predicament: How do you get into nmr, take spectra, and interpret them if you know little about the field? The first 115 pages consist of an explanation of how nmr speetroscopy is done with such practical information as how to estimate the integral from overlapping lines, or how does radiation damping affect your spectrum and what can you do about it. All of the discussion on spectral interpretation is based on first-order > p e < t r , ,md ~ r m - u r d e r a p p r s ~ i i n u t i c mt~n ~ n t r ~ p r c t i nhighcrurdcr g ipectra. This ii 1 d l u n 4 t)? .'H 1 [m~?. of cwrelatitm d u r 1 3 , typical spectra, and references, making this an unusually useful "handbook" of proton nmr spectral interpretation. Extensive data based on 10,000 compounds, 24.000 chemical shifts, and 400 typical spectra are presented, including the conditions under which they have been taken. To make the hook even more useful, different sections are easily located (at least until the pages get too dirty) hy a grey stripe along the edge of the page. The author assumes that you have a high resolution cw spectrometer in front of you and merely want to obtain a good spectrum (Continued on page A521
