book r.eviews "road map" problems and step-by-step synthetic reasoning, the author accomplishes his stated task-to provide "a pattern of deductive thought" and create "an ability t o develop a rational hasis for the solution of a given problem whether it is chemical, biological, or practical." A final chapter (Epilog) is a reflection upon the various significant discoveries in organic chemistry, their serendipity nature, and a look into the future. This chapter, with its philosophical undertones, provides some interesting food to stimulate thinking. S. W. Schneller University 01 South Florida Tampa. Florida 33620
Problems in Advanced Organic Chemistry
Jerry March. Marcel Dekker. Inc.. 1971. 432 pp. $9.75. Profissor Jerry March has done it again. He has put together an excellent problem hook to accompany his excellent text "Advanced Organic Chemistry." The hook contains 845 problems, many of which have multi-parts. There are sixteen prohlem sets in all which correspond specifically to all the chapters in the text with the exception of the chapters on reactive intermediates (carbonium ions, etc.) and the chapter on instrumental methods. The former topic is interspersed throughout the problems on specific types of reactions and the latter topic is excluded due to the large number of problem hooks already on the market. Approximately one-third of the problems have answers and for most of these a literature reference is included far further clarification. In general Professor March
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has used the interpretation from the literature except where more recent studies have shed more light on the problem. The answers t o the remaining problems are not included but a literature reference is given far each. As with most organic problem hooks of this type, there is an emphasis on mechanistic interpretations of reactions both from s standmint of stereochemistrs and electronic effects, However, synthetic procedures are also stressed and many problems involve long multi-step pathways. The student can then compare his route with a loute that actually worked. In my senior undergraduate level course this has provoked many intelligent arguments over which way is the method of choice. The scope of bath the types of problems and the literature covered is extensive. A student in an institution with inadequate library facilities is clearly a t a disadvantage in looking up the answer; however this can be a n advantage when one wants the student t o merely get a hint from the abstract and then use his head from there on. The illustrations of structural features of molecules are very well done and incorporate most of the conventions found in the literature. There are very few errors or ambiguities in the hook. Finally the book should he useful starting with the advanced undergraduate level and continuing up t o the practicing organic chemist who wants to have fun. John C . Cochran Coigate University Hamilton, New York 13346
Spectral Analysis of Organlc Compounds, 2nd Edition
Clifford J. Creswell and Olaf A . Runboth of Hamline Univ., and Moleolm M. Combell, Heriot-Wall Univ. Burgess Publishing Co., Minneapolis,
quist,
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1972. v 331 pp. Tables. 28.7 x 22.2 cm. $12.95. This is a clear, well written and complete introduction to the spectral analysis of organic compounds. The authors have prepared such a clearly organized programmed text that a student should be able to grasp the content with confidence as he works through it. Background and methodology are developed in small steps, each illustrated with examples and problems and neatly summarized for review. The book introduces uv, visible, ir, nmr and mass spectroscopy and includes detailed advice on the solution of structure problems by spectral means and a complete set of practice problems. At the end, several appendices combine the mast useful tables into a reference section. This Second Edition was produced in order to add the chapter on mass spectroscopy. It includes a brief description af the instrumentation and continues with a thorough presentation of charge-to-mass ratios, metastable ion peaks, fission processes and methods for analyzing and using mass spectroscopic data. The authors' approach to the problem of determining the formula of an ion is refreshing, in that it takes the easiest method (exact mass by high-resolution mass spectroscopy) first, then goes into the details of the parent, P + 1 and P + 2 peaks in a way that permits the student to derive for himself the method used far low-resolution spectrometers. There is no long table of masses based on formula, but unless complete, this is best left to a reference volume anyway. Because the mass spectroscopy chapter was added to the end of the previous edition, it is not integrated into the section of practice problems which precedes it. However some practice problems are included in the new chapter. Presumably a Third Edition will correct this situation. The problems and examples go well beyond a simple text in scope, frequently requiring mathematical derivations or long calculations. This, combined with the far(Continued on page A4661
