book reviews out and ordered a copy for his research-library. On the other hand, I have mentioned the interest I found in this biochemical bridge, and I can envision a bright young undergraduate finding the volume on a library shelf and avidly devouring its contents. As with all books of this type, each chemist and librarian will have to judge the usefulness of each volume in his own particular context. James E. Huheey UniyBnW of Mawand College Park. 20742
Radlatlon Physics and Chemistry of Polymers
F. A. Makhlis, Russia. Keter Publishing House, Jerusalem, 1975. xi 287 pp. Figures and tables. 24 X 17 cm.
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In spite of its importance in theory and practice, there is too little information available in polymer textbooks on the effect of high energy radiation on polymers. Hence, it is of interest t o note that this treatise on radiation science of polymers published in Russian in 1972 has been translated into English by the Israel Program for Scientific translations. This relatively comprehensive and practically ori-
ented review is remarkedly complete for Russian publications through about 1970. High energy radiation from electron beams, neutrons, or from alpha, beta or gamma ray8 initiates ionization and free radical formation. This process may result in chain scission or crosslink in^ deoendine ~=~ on the d a ~ rate e and the polymer rrrurttrre. The crosslinking of pulyethylme hy irradiation is a well known commercial process used to increase the heat resistance of film and wire coatings and to provide heat shrinkable tubing. Unfortunately, there are no references to polyethylene nor to other polymers in the index. The radiation process has also been used to polymerize vinyl monomers impregnated in wood and for the curing of rubber. Radiation has also been used for grafting monomers on cellulose and wool. Equally important, in this atomic age, are polymers that are resistant to high energy radiation. This list includes aromatic compounds whieh are characterized by low ionization potentials and the presence of Low level excitation states. For example, polyimidazopyrrolones called pyrrones, which are not discussed in this book, are of interest in space technology because of their resistance to radiation. Highly effective orotectine additives such as sulfhvdrvl compounds h&e donor acceptor prop;rti& with respect t o the hydrogen atom. Polymers used for the secondary shielding against neutrons should have a high hydrogen content. Thus, polyethylene films are used as radiation shields. Since 1 ton of polyethylene is equivalent in neutron shielding ability to 12.5 tons of lead, it has .7
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been used on nuclear powered surface ships and submarines. Polyethylene has also been proposed for use in space vehicles as a protective screen against cosmic radiation. Seven chapters are devoted to discussions of important radiation reactions such as: erosslinking, degradation, dosimeter values, radiation sources, temperature dependence, prevention of radiation resetions, property changes during radiolysis and nuclear engineering applications of polymers. A comprehensive bibliography with many English language references aecompanies each chapter. However, there is no author index a t the end of the book. Most of the translation is well done. However, in the extensive discussion of Fricke dosimeter, the name is given a s "Frike". The letters L.E.L. instead of L.E.T. are used for Linear energy transfer and the expression "threshold" concentration is used rather than the "limiting" concentration of free radicals. Also the word "overcharge" is used instead of "superexcitation" to describe a non-ionization process. This hook would be a valuable addition t o the library of every polymer radiation chemist. Because of its practical orientation which is probably essential for Soviet reaearch and reviews, this book should he of particular value to space and nuclear engineers. Raymond 0. Seymour University of Houston Houston. Texas 77004
The Osmotlc Pressure of Biological Macromolecules
M. P. Tombs, Unilever Research Laboratories, Colworth House, and A. R. Peoeoeke, Clare College, Cambridge. Clarendon Press, New York, 1975. vii + 143 p. Figures and tables. 16 X 24 cm. $22.50 This volume on osrnometry is the fifth in the series of monographs on Physical Biochemistry edited by W. F. Harrington and A. R. Peacacke and published by Oxford University Press. The four chapters of the book have devoted roughly equal space to theory and practical matters related to the phenomenon and use of osmotic pressure for the study and characterization of bioloeical macromolecules in solution. The first rhapwr is part~cularlyuseful in that it introduce. the unmtt~arcdstudenr and mtewstrd render to the general pwhlem of the thermodynamics of macromolecules in solution and t o the theory of threecomponent and multicomponent solutions that has application not only to osmotic pressure but also to ultracentrifugation and light scattering methods. Both the Scatchard and the Cassassa-Eisenberg formalisms and notations used in the study of charged macromolecules in the presence of two or more diffusible components across membranes are described in this chapter. The latter theories are important for the understandine- and descriotian ofbioloeieal systems at usmutic rquihbrium or constant chemical potential in the presence uf r r n ~ l l diffusible components, rinrr r h q reduce
(Continued on page A140) A138 / Journal of Chemical Education
