Rapid detection of cations and anions (Charlot, Gaston)

photomet~y-UV., visible, and IR., acid- base equilibrium and titrations, p r e cipit,imetry, redox theory and titrations), also includes valuable chap...
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photomet~y-UV., visible, and IR., acidbase equilibrium and titrations, p r e cipit,imetry, redox theory and titrations), also includes valuable chapters on, Complexes and Complex-Formation Titrations (Chap. lo), The Use of Reaction Ifates (Chap. 13), Ion Exchange in Analytical Chemistry (Chap. 14), Electrical Methods of Soparation and Analysis (Chap. 15), Extraction and Chromat,ography-ir, liquid-liqoid extraction, liquid-partition, paper, thin-layer, and gasliquid chromatography (Chap. 16), Emission Spectroscopy nnd Flame Photometry (Chap. 17). Part I1 includes a short, clear discussion of the theory of errors (Chap. 19), as well as disoussions of the two-pan and single pan balances (Chaps. 20, 21). Chapter 23 deals with the use of volr~metricglassware as regards expected accuracy and precision. The remaining portion of Part I1 is eiven over ti, 31 lahoratorv exexercise (having one or more references t.o the recent literature) is divided into

hackground theory, reagents, procedure, notes, and questions. Fritz and Schenk wind up the text with a useful set of appendixes which are headed in seriatim, Literature of Analytical Chemistry; Equilibrium Constants (34 solubility product, 26 acid, and 11 base ionization constmts-aeh of which is given for p = o, and rr = 0.1, plus a listing of common stepwise metal-ligand formation constants); Standard Electrode Potentials; Balancing Oxidation-Reduetion Equations; Solving Quadrat,ic E q u a tions; Exponential Numbers and Logarithms; Fiveplace Logarithms. By and large the authors' purpose-"to get directly to the heart of each topic and explain it in a clear, logical manner"-has been achieved. But even so, depending upon one's definition of elementary quantitative analysis and the position i t holds in the cnrriculnm, the compact writing which nattirally arises from snch a forced draft approach, while clear and often times stimulating, will doubtless place a challenge on the instructor's experience, since little space is devoted to nuances. In reading the hook the reviewer was impressed by the good workmanship including the general scarcity of both glaring typogrqdiea.1 mistakes and obvious technical oversights. Nonetheless, one might point to the I R plot on page 62 where the abscissa is labeled as millimicrons rather than microns, and to page 432, line 3, where an electron is added to a "tetrahaIostati~late(II) ion, pmdocing a tin(II1) complex ion." Usually every reader uf a book can cite topin which might have been touched upon. From some of the reviewer's experience in teaching elementary quantitative analysis the attractiveness of the present book woiild have been enhanced had the discussion included a chapter dealing with some of the interesting measurement problems encountered in elementary quantitative biochemical snalysis. This is not a very serious sho& coming, however, and the work by Fritz

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Journal o f Chemical Education

and Schenk is highly recommended a an elementary text.

and it is almost inevitable that here too the subject will be fragmented and dealt with by specialists in the various fields. Quite EDWAHD D. MOORHEAD a few years ago the history of organic Rutgers University chemistry was made the subject of sepaNew Rrunswick, Neu, Jersey rate volumes and now a hook dealing entirely with the history of mslytieal chems not only istry is available. The author i a competent analytical chemist but is also intimately acquainted with the history of chemistry, a happy combination that is Rapid Detection of Cations and Anions clearly reflected in this hook. He is Gaston Charlot, Fscolt6 des Sciences, likewise a skilled writer, who sometimes Paris. Translated by Ralph E. Oesper, appears on radio, and therefore knows University of Cincinnati, Ohio. 3rd how to bring his subject matter alive. ed. Chemical Publishing Co., Inc., He ha5 thoughtfully included the human New Yark, 1965. 107 pp. 14.5 X 22.5 side of the scientists responsible for the em. $5. growth of analytical chemistry and has given essential biographical details of I n recent years Professor Charlat has more than 800 men whose names occur in produced numerous hooks in the field of the text. This is a valuable feature beanalytical chemistry. Several of them cause analytied chemists, like chemists have been expanded sections of his larger in general, wually employ the names of treatises. This latest. book fits into this chemists merely as convenient handles. category. Muchof themeterial (presented This book deals with the history of in a concise form in this volume is eonanalytical chemistry fmm ancient times tained in his larger work, "L'AnaIyse up to the present. I t emphasizes and Qualitative et les R&.ctions en Solution," discusses the place of analytical chemistry which was last revised in 1963. in the development of chemistry and The "Rapid Detection of Cations" brings to the readers an interesting and was first published in 1943 and translated readable account of the developments and into English in 1954. The newest edition discoveries that served both the condiffers from the earlier work in that it temporary and foture needs of the science. contains methods for both cations and The history of qualitative analysis is anions. Twenty-five anion procedures are given adequate attention and, as might be included in this edition. These addition8 expected, long chapters are devoted to should increase the effectiveness of the gravimetry, titrimetry, and electmgravireference which serves to give a chemist metry. Other sections take up such mata quick, somewhat selective, identification t e n as optical methods, ehmmatography, procedure. palarogrr~phy, radiochemical analysis, ion The procedures are given with an inexchange, colorimetry, spectroscopy, and dication of t,he sensitivity, selectivity, so on. The history of indicators is disreagents required, and a written explanscussed, as well as the development of tion of the reaction. No equations are pH, special reagents, and other analytical given. Organic reagents were employed aids. All of these methods are bssed on to a great extent. theoretical considerations that are outReferences to the original sources of the lined in adequate detail and a special procedures would be helpful. However, chapter is devoted to the theory of analyfrom the content of the book, it appears sis. I n other words, the book takes up to that the volume will be most useful for a s. sufficient extent all methods of investisource of quick check procedures, and not gation used by analysts from the alchemias a. text for existing courses in qualitative cal days to these electronic times. analysis. As a rule analyticel chemists are ignorant of the history of their field and T. R. WILLIAMS have little knowledge of the beginning of College of Wooster things and of the men whose labors brought Wooster, Ohio this hrmch into being. The 100 plates show likenesses of many of these analytical greats, while ot,hers show bot,h early and present-day pieces of equipment; still others are reprodi~ctionsof the title History of Analytical Chernishy pages of classic textbooks, etc. Of inestimable value me the lists of references to Ferenc Szabaderary, Technical University the original literature, especially to those of Budapest. 'Iranstated by Gyula readem who may wish to learn more about Svehla, Technical University of Bndathe work a t firsthand. So if the reader nest. Perzamon Press. Ino.. New York. wishes to learn abont the development of 1966. ix 419 pp. hgs.'and tables: qualitative, quantitative, instrumental, 17 X 24.5 cm. S18.50. and other t,ypes of analysis this is the book to consult. Informat,ion that is not The day of the individual chemical readily aceeiisihle elsewhere is made availencyclopedist is over without doubt and able he,*. the tmks of such compilers as Benelius, The author has put an enormous amount Beilstein, Gmelu~, Mellor, Rompp, etc., of work into this hook, which is now availhave been or soon will be taken over by able in German and English translation teams working in institutes and the like as well as the original Hungarian. A comand supported by the learned societies, parison of the English and German texts governments, industries, etc. I n the by this reviewer (who does not read field of the history of chemistry more than a century intervened between the multi(Continued on page A@) volume works of Kopp and Partington

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