ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
NEW
Mass Spectrometry, Klaus Biemann. xii + 370 pages. McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., 380 West 42nd St., New York 36, Ν. Υ. 1962. $13.75. Reviewed by F. W. McLafferty, Eastern Research Laboratory, The Dow Chemical Co., Framingham, Mass. Although the techniques for obtain ing mass spectra of complex organic molecules have been available for some time, most organic chemists are not particularly aware of the unique and varied potentialities of mass spectrome try in their field. This excellent text "by an organic chemist for organic chemists" provides a needed tool to help both the student and the experi enced scientist become aware of these potentialities. The types of instruments and their operation are summarized, with a large part of this section appropriately de voted to sample introduction tech niques. The general ion fragmentation processes which produce the mass spec trum are organized in a logical and useful manner. There is a thorough, excellent discussion on techniques for converting milligram samples to chemi cal derivatives which can give addi tional mass spectral information, and also on the labeling of sample molecules with stable isotopes as tracers. Most of the remaining third of the book is de voted to the mass spiectra of particular natural products, with exhaustive (and excellent) discussions of indole alka loids and amino acids and peptides, and relatively brief reviews of steroids, fatty acids, carbohydrates, and other compounds. The extensive coverage of the spectra of multifunctional natural products will be a real improvement over previ ous texts for many readers, although it is regrettable that the spectral charac teristics of many appropriate references for other interpretations or further in formation on particular topics are neg lected. The majority of examples are from the author's own research, (in cluding much excellent, previously-un published work), making them alive and accurately detailed, although plac ing considerable emphasis on certain narrow areas of chemistry. Inexactness is frequently found in descriptions involving physics ("cleav age of a bond will occur if the energy transferred exceeds the ionization po tential"—p. 200) or physical-organic chemistry ("a low electron affinity of
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X permits rupture" of the C—X bond in CH.,CH 2 X—p. 108). Calculation of empirical formulas from natural isotopic abundances (p. 60) emphasizes errors from variations in natural abundance with no mention of instru ment discrimination, although this is stressed as important for labeled mole cules (p. 214). Metastable ions ob served are described as formed before acceleration is complete, with ion ac celeration assigned an inordinately long time (10~4 sec). Negative ions are dismissed as of little usefulness, without mention of the considerable work of Melton and co-workers. The printing, binding, and illustra tions are excellent. Graphic spectra used as examples have ordinates based on both the most abundant ion and the total ion abundance, a very useful fea ture. A sizable number of mistakes and typographical errors were found. For a large variety of complex or ganic molecules, the author has been able to derive vital and unique struc ture information from the individual mass spectra. This has been done through logical mechanisms of degra dation, not empirical correlations, which should demonstrate to the care ful reader the broad potential of the method for types of complex organic compounds as yet unstudied. This book is strongly recommended for sci entists in organic chemistry and allied fields, as well as for mass speetrometrists. Kolorimetrie. Photometrie und Spektrometrie. Gustav Korturn. viii + 464 pages. Springer-Verlag, Heidelberger Platz 3, Berlin-Wil mersdorj, West Berlin, Germany. 1962. DM 48. Reviewed by E. J. Rosenbaum, Drexel Institute of Technology, Phila delphia, Pa. This book is characterized by its breadth of coverage and its complete ness within the limits set by the au thor. The range of topics includes general methods and instrumentation for ultraviolet, visible and infrared absorption, Raman spectroscopy, fluo rescence spectroscopy, nephelometry, and reflectivity measurements. The main emphasis is on optical components and on the principles, design, and limitations of apparatus in this broad field. There is no descriptive material on sample preparation or on specific
No. ^j (J in the ADVANCES IN CHEMISTRY SERIES Reactions of Coordination Ligands and Homogeneous Catalysis The 18 papers in this volume explore an area which has recently taken on renewed life. All given before the Symposium In Homogeneous Catalysis and Reactions of Coordinated Ligands held by the Division of Inorganic Chemistry at the 141st ACS National Meeting in March 1962, they represent timely material. Coordination chemists now are paying more attention to the ligands. Major de velopments which spotlight this area are (1) biochemical research which reveals the role of coordinated metal ions in bio chemical synthesis and in energy storage and transfer, (2) the search for polymers which can withstand high temperatures, in turn, uncovering interesting ligand re actions, and (3) the discovery of the oxoand the Ziegler-Natta catalytic syntheses which focus interest on coordination com pounds as reaction intermediates. Further investigation into ligand reactions is bound to b- fruitful. If you are working anywhere in this field, you will need this volume as part of your literature. 255 pages. Paper bound. Price: $7.00
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VOL. 35, NO. 8, JULY 1963 · 4 9 A
