data obtained by the measurement. Unless the investigator has some understanding of the theoretical basis for the experimental technique, the technique may be incorrectly applied or the data. misinterpreted. The problem is well indicated by Ogston in his discussion of the hydrodynamio properties of solute particles, ". . .it ia clear therefore that there is a risk of estimating not the oherilcteristics of the solute psrticle itself, but of the model perticle whioh replaces it in the theory!' Thus the need for a good introductory discussion cannot be overemphasized. This volume fills that need. I t does not replace the many comprehensive monographs available, but, it supplements these monographs and provides the investigstor with the necessary background for his further study. The book is a valushle addition to the literature and highly recommended for the personal library of any biochemist and biophysicist aotive in research.
their derivatives (including numerous organo-fluorine and physiologioelly active compounds) require 186 pages. Exercises and problems are provided at the end of nine chapters. The usefulness of this book is greatly enhanced by the very extensive bihliographical references a t the end of each chapter and the inclusion of an Index of the Text ttnd an Index of Tables. The latter index lists spproximately 5WO organic compounds exclusive of thousands of their derivatives which are found in the tables. This book will be welcomed by students of qualitative organic analysis as well an by more mature chemists faced with the problem of identifying organic compounds. JAMES L. A. WEBB SO~X-XEBTE ATBM NBMPH~
CHAPMAN CAEMICAL COMPANY TEIN.BB.E MEMPHIE.
DAVID G . CORNWELL OHLOSFAFB UNLVEPBITI
Comueoa, Oxro
SEMlMICRO QUALITATIVE ORGANIC ANALYSES: THE SYSTEMATIC IDENTIFICATION OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS Nicholas D. Chemnia, Professor of Chemistry, Brooklyn College, and John B. Entrikin, Professor of Chemisky, Centenary College of Louisiana. Second edition. Interscience Publishers, Inc., New Yark, 1957. xiv 774 pp. 92 figs. Numerous tables. $9.
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THE completely rewritten and enpanded second edition of thia book is divided into four parts: Part One-Teehniques of Organic Analysis; Part T w o Procedures for Tentative Identification of an Unknown; Part Three-Procedures for Final Chsracterization of an Unknown; Part Fou-Tables of Organic Compounds with Their Constants and Derivatives. T h ~ sis the most comprehensive treatment of qualitative organic analysis ourrently avdilable in a single volume. The chapters on laboratory techniques are clearly written and amply illastreted; specific, detailed examples of various techniques and apparatus tempt one to go immediately into the laboratory. The inclusion of discussions of fusion techniques, vacuum fractional sublimation, rhromatographic procedures and ion exchangers is notable. The discussion of solubility classifications is supplemented by a chapter on the use of Davidson's acid-base indicators as a further aid in clmificetion of water soluble compounds as well as compounds exhibiting borderline solubility. A section on the detection of functional groups by infrared spectroscopy is also included. Stress is laid on the separation of mixtures and, in addition to the discussions in the chapters on techniques, a chapter on systematic procedures far fractionation of mixtures of unknowns is included. The section of the book devoted to derivatization of organic compounds covers 211 pages. Tables devoted to physical constants of organic compounds and
SPOT TESTS IN ORGANIC ANALYSIS Fritz Feigl, Laboratmio da hoducao Mineral, Ministerio da Agricultura, Rio de Janeiro; Professor at the University of Brad. Translated by Ralph E. Oesper, Professor Emeritus, University of Cincinnati. Elsevier Publishing Co. Amsterdam: distributed by the D. Van Nostrand co., Inc. Princeton, 1956. n 616 pp. Fiqures and many tables. 16 X 23 cm.
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$11.
A DrscwsIoN of the use af spot tests for the detection of organic compounds and organic functional groups has a p peared in earlier editions of Professor Feigl's well-known hook, "Spot Tests." Prior to the fourth edition, which was published in 1954, the material on organic spot test analysis was of such limited soope that it was included as a supplement to the discussion of inorganic spot test analysis. In recent years, however, an increasing interest in this subject has resulted in the accumulation of a great amount of information, and in 1954 the fourth edition of "Spot Tests" appeared in two volumes, the second of which was devoted to the use of spot reactions in qualitative organic amalysis. So many new tests have now been developed that the present edition is not merely a repetition of the fourth edition, but it consists of an essential and fundamental enlargement. This is indicated by the fact that the number of pages has been increased by almost 200. The new fourth edition, which originally appeared as Volume I1 of "Spot Tests," is now titled "Spot Tests in Organic Analysis." The content of this book is arranged essentially according to the pattern adopted in the previous edition. The description of numerous procedures and the chemical principles upon which they are based, together with extensive literature references, are presented ss before. Some of the important changes appearing in the present volume are: The introduetory chapter has been increased to 28 pages, snd includes a more intensive treatment of the basic philosophy of the analytical use of organic reactions; it includes a consideration of the principles
employed in the discoveryof newanalytirnl reactions for organic compounds. Chapter I11 on Preliminary Tests has now been enlarged to 25 subsections with 62 tests. Chapter IV on the Detection of Functional Groups has now been enlarged to include 49 subsections with 116 tests. Chapter V on the Detection of Individual Organic Compounds now includes directions for the detection of 78 compounds. Testa that are of significance to the chemistry of natural products are included. Chapter VI on sperial applications has been enlarged to 62 examples and includes the identification of medicinal products. A special ehapter has been included to provide a bibliography of studies of spot reactions not considered in previous chapters. Professor Feigl has drawn on a very extensive knowledge of chemical reactions in preparing the material for this book. Although the primary objective has been to develop a technique for the rapid identification of organic compounds by simple methods, this hook is not simply a isboboratory manual. .411 reactions used in the procedures are fully explained and are abundantly illustrated with chemical equations. For this reason "Spot Tests in Organic Analysis" should be a valuable reference work for the organic as well &B the analytical chemist. This hook is another of the many valuable contributions by the author in the development of new snalytieal methods. It should prove to be of value in practical organic analysis and as an aid in analytical research. FRANK J. WELCHER INDLANAUNIVBRBITY
INIIIANAPOGI~. INOIAWA
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS Cumming and Kay. Revised by R. A. Chalmera, Lecturer in Analytical Chemistry. University of Aberdeen. Eleventh edition. O l i ~ eand ~ Boyd, Edinburgh, 540 pp. 91 figs. 15 X 1956. xvi 23cm. 30/-.
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T m s text which first appeared in 1913 is now in its eleventh edition, a fact which sttests to ita popularity. The section on eolorimetly has beeu completely rewritten, and sections on the theory of precipitation and contamination of preripitates have been included. A brief outline of newer phyaieo-chemical methods has been added. The former treatment of water analysis has beeu omitted. Suggested references have been added. Cnlihrstian of volumetric glassware now follow the British Standard Specifications. The book is divided into eight seotians. General Principles, Volumetric Analysis, Gravimetric Analysis, Photometric Analysis, Sytematic Quantitative Analysis, Examples of Complete Analysis including Simple Ores and Alloys, Gaa Analpis and Pbysico-Chemical Methods. The appendix lists common reagents, solutions for analysis, typical analyses, specific gravities of reagents, logsrithms and a selected bibliography. Interesting points to the reviewer are the adjustment of platinum weights by JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
touching them with a platinum wire anode, the use of anti-bump boiling rods, the looped suction tube filter, the use of EDTA ss s. complexing agent and the unusually exact measurement of amount of indicator used. This book is intended far college and university teaching in the introduction course in analytical chemistry. I t ineludes enough theory and reference material to satisfy most instructors who wish t o emphasize theory. The procedures are extensive and appear thoroughly done. An outstanding quality is the evidence of wide and detailed experience of the authors. The drawings, while good, are conservative in style. There are no problems with which to give the student practice in theory.
feature materially enhances the usefulness of the work as a general laboratory guide. The above would indicate that "Organic Synthesis" would be a valuable addition to the chemists' library and this is unquestionably true. I t hss a wider coverage than "Synthetic Organic Chemistry" by Wagner and Zaok which i t most nearly resembles. On the other hand, the tables of physical constants appear to be more oomplete in the latter. Two features of the present work may be criticized. There is no index in the first volume and, in the opinion of the reviewer, its inclusion would be worth the small extra cost. There is a page of errata a t the beginning of Volume 1 but none for Volume 2. A quite brief search for specific errors showed that there are possibly quite a few of these in rrome WILLIAM MACNEVlN sections, both in the text and structural Onro S ~ n Umvmemr m formulas. To cite a few examples a t Co~rmraas,Orno random: p. 5, iaomsfor atoms(line 15) and theroetical (line 35); p. 29, a trivalent carbon in the structure of the product of the Nef reaction. Also the products shown for the acetic anhydride sodium acetate treatment in the Zemplin Method are incorrect; p. 31, the structure of one of the osaaones has CH instead of CaHr; p. 37, Hitwarth is spelled Howorth (twice). COMPOUNDS On the other hand, a number of pages in other chapters checked had no errors and Vortkes Migrdichion, Senior Research the total may well be average for a book of Chemist, Central Laboratory, American this type. Points of less importance are Cyanamid Co., Stamford, Conn. Reinthe use of rings both with and without hold Publishing Corp., New York, 1957. double bonds for benaenoid compounds Vol. 1: uviii 833 pp. Vo1. 2: xiii and a few rather poor structures, especially 83s-1822 pp. 16 X 23.5 cm. $35 for for the carbohydrates. None of these set. deficiencies seriously affect the very real value of the hooks and they, along with THISwork reoresents an effort. t,o provide n w u q > l e r ~ guldt. 10 the l i ~ c n ~ t u n : the third volume when it appears, will he among those used most frequently by the for the prvpnr.itim of q,rn+llnin z~lurntt.d practicing organic chemist who has them and uns:tlurnted c nlywlil. available. compounds, and aromatic compounds. A third volume dealing with heterocyclic ARTHUR G. ANDERSON, JR. compounds is contemplated. In contrast U~lvensl~ orr W*BHINCTON to the well-known volumes of "Organio SE*TTL.. WABHINCTOS Syntheses," the present books are not primarily a collection of laboratory directions, and experimental details are provided only for selected preparations MOLECULES AND CRYSTALS IN of a general nature or for specific comINORGANIC CHEMISTRY pounds which are illustrative. Thus the major usefulness of the work will he as A. E. van Arkel, University of Leiden, a quite thorough and well organized guide Leiden, Netherlands. Interscience Pubto the literature. 270 pp. 5 4 lishers, Inc., 1956. ix The organization fallows that of many figs. 41 tables. 14 X 22 em. $4.75. textbooks with division into chapters and sections of chapters according to functional T m s is the second edition of the volume groups or types of compounds with closely originally reviewed in THIS JOURNAL, related material kept together as much as Volume 27, p. 169, January, 1950. I t still possible. Chapter 6 provides a representacontains the faults and serious limitations tive example and includes unsubstituted which were presented in that review. The csboxylic acids, hydroxy acids, aldehyde main one of these is its continued insistence acids, keto acids, amino acids, acid on discussing molecules as though they anhydrides, de-boxylation snd d e ~ r a - were camponed of ions when an intraduedation of acids, halogenation of acids, tion of covalent theory t o a greater extent peracids, and aoyl peroxides. A further might make such discussion more profie feature is the treatment of more general able. The book has been slightly expreparative methods such t h a t separate panded but relatively little of it shows chapters deal with the Grignard reaction, any serious rewriting. This reviewer finds the Friedel-Crafts reaction, and the i t unfortunate that the volume contains dime synthesis. many statements which seem to be exAttention has been given to special tremely loose, such as: "The alkali and areas and among these are carbohydrates, alkaline earth metals are present in d l their terpenes, sterols, peptides, earotenoids, compounds as ions, and the halogens in vitamins, organo metallic8 and compounds nearly all their compounds as ions" (on of boron, silicon, arsenic e t a This p. 29); or on p. 51, "(molecules of AI*O.)
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VOLUME 34. NO. 8, AUGUST, 1957
occur in a. trigonal bipyrsmid in which the three 01- ions lie in an equilateral triangle in the plane of the meridian and the two AP+ ions lie a t the apices of the bipyramid"; or the use of the symbol Pro for the element promethium; or on p. 31 the statement "it is therefore quite easy t o see why there is a limit to the number of compounds theoretically possible." On the other hand, the book contains a very great amount of interesting material which could be read with profit by almost any teacher who is giving a course in structural chemistry. This reviewer, however, could not recommend i t for student use since the ionic point of view is so strongly overemphasized, there are so many misleading statements, and so little attempt to compare the relative merits of several theoretical approaches to the important problems which are discussed. b. I.
HARYEI MUDDCOLLEOE
CAMPBELL
C ~ ~ n m oC wA. L I P O ~ N L A
FIBRES, PLASTICS AND RUBBERS: A HANDBOOK OF COMMON POLYMERS
W. I. Roff, Britiah Cotton Industry Research Association, Academic Press, Inc., New York; Butterworths Scientific Pub. lications, London, 1956. mi 400 pp. Many tables. 1 5 X 22 cm. $10.
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SCIENTI~TS and technologists in the plastics, textile, and ruhher industries will welcome heartily this handbook on ehemical, physical, and general information on common high polymers. The unique organization of information and the broad coverage of items makes this volume a ready reference and an indispensable tool to all workers in these fields. The handbook is divided into two main parts: I. Data on Individual Polymers (tables 1 to 38); 11. Data on Specific Properties and Related Information (tables 51 to 84). Tables 1 t o 38 include 63 different polymers; tables 51 to 84 include 54 different topics. Each table of data is arranged its follows: .1 Structure, .2 Chemistry ( 2 1 preparation, .22 properties and 2 3 identification reactions), .3 Physics (.31 general properties, .32 thermal properties, .33 electrical properties, .34 mechanical properties), .4 Serviceability and Utilization, .5 History, .6 Additional notes, .7 Additional references. The tables on specific properties include Slmelure (unit, molecular weight, X-ray data), Chemistry (Preparation, Solvents, Plasticizers and Identification) and Physics (General p r o p erties, Thermal properties, Electrical properties, and Mechanical properties), Servimabilify and Utilizalim, History, and Additional Refwenees. One marvels a t the completeness of the coverage and aeemsry of the detailed data in this brief volume of 400 pages. A review of chief types of polymers, as well as a spot-check of references, shows the thoroughness of the work and the desired accuracy of its presentation. Although one finds the omission of a number of familiar American names, the most outstanding ones are mentioned. The proper use of bold-face type far
