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VOLUME 33, NO. 4, APRIL, 1956 previous editions and includes u p t o d a t e methods. Procedures for preparing derivativea are accompanied in many cases by original references. The characterization procedures given in this manud were written with the aim of enabling the student to identify the more common types of organic compounds. Accordingly the author has attempted t o include in the tables of derivstives only the common organic compounds and of these only those which are available commercially in a reasonably pure condition and at relatively low cost. Ample numbers of derivstives are given for about 700 compounds. It is regrettable that separate tables of esters, amides, nitrilea, and acid anhydrides have not been included. A search must be made for the constants of these compounds in the tables for related compounds. The index does not contain the names of the compounds listed in the tables. Throughout the book it is assumed that the student has fully mastered the common techniques of organie chemistry and, unlike American texts in the field, no review of topics such as recrystallization and the taking of physical constants is given. The text's emphasis is exclusively on identification per se. I t contains no theory, no equations, no written exercises or problems. To help prevent a course which is using this manual from being a "cook-book" type of course, the instructor would have to make up in large measure for the above omissions. In the opinion of the reviewer s possible profitable use of this manud would be to work it into a two-semester course in elementary organic chemistry. Here it could he used for the whole or part of the second-semester laboratory work. This suggestion might be especidy worthy of consideration in those institutions where a separate course in qualitative organic analysis is not offered. HAROLD WALBA
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METHODW DER ORGANISCHEN CHEMIE. BAND Ill. TElL 2: PHYSIKALISCHE METHODEN
Edited by Eugen MdlIer. Fourth edition. Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, 1955. xrpiii 1078 pp. SO7 figs. Tables. 18.5 X 26 Em. $44.30.
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WHEN Shakespeare caused the Bishop of Canterbury, in Henry V, to say, "Never wits such a sudden scholar made," neither the author nor the good Bishop could have had in mind the effectthat "Die Methoden der organischen Chemie" could have on young chemists. The thought, however, announces the spirit rather than the delicacy of the matter. Part two of volume three in this excellent series maintains the same high level of performance of the previous volumes. This volume surveys the techniques of physics and physical chemistry which are playing an increasingly prominent role in modern organic chemistry. In reality this volume may be looked upon aa an assembly of 21 highly condensed monographs on these special subjects: conductivity measurements (18 pp.), methods of measuring pH (80 pp.), indicators and test papers (34 pp.), potentiometric and conductometric titrations (72 pp.), quantitsr tive electrophoresis (48 pp.), redox potentials (40 pp.), polarogmphy of organic materids (56 pp.), determination of dielectric properties (56 pp.), refraotometry (18 pp.), polarimetry (18 pp.), light scattering (34 pp.), fluorescence and phosphorescence (18 pp.), electron diffraction methods (24 pp.), the electron microscope (22 pp.), X-ray analysis (52 pp.), absorption spectroscopy in the visible and ultraviolet region (172 pp.), Ramsnspectroscopy (30 pp.), infrared spectroscopy (106 pp.), microwave spectroscopy (16 pp.), magnetochemical methods (66 pp.), and ultrasonic techniques (20 pp.). In dealing with topics as broad as these in such a. limited space, specific mechanical details of the laboratory techniques are not emphasized, nor should they be expected to be. However, what is expected is a thoroughgoing analysis of the ideas which these physical methods could contribute to the solution of problems in
orynt.ir ihm&try. 1 his the nuthow $10 with conrummate "kill ! ~ * i ~ d topic l f d l * into three and diwrrrion. The gcr:lwr.~lp l : ~ for of rhr theoratwnl fuundauon~, pans. I:irsr is thr consid~mt~on the development of equations, and the mathematical analysis of the data. This is followed by a section describing the methods of measurements along with anadequate descriptionof the types of equipment required. Finally, the information which can be obtained from such technioues is soeoificallv . amlied .. in detail to organie systems. Without exception, the references in each section cover the literature up to 1954. This volume bears the mark of fine scholarship and extensive learning and those who wish to gain some insight into the contributions of physical methods to the development of organic chemistry will find this work most enlightening. G. H. RICHTER
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SEMI-MICRO QUANTITATIVE ORGANIC ANALYSIS
R. Belcher, Reader in Analytical Chemistry, University of Birmingham, and A. L. Godbert, Principal Scientific Officer, Safety in Mines Research Establishment. Second edition. Longmans, Green and Co., New York, 1955. x 222 pp. 53figs. 14.5 X 22.5cm. $4.
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Tars is the second edition of a compact book dealing with methods of organic analysis in whichan ordinary good analytical balance mav be used. The book is desiened for use hvnniversitv students d w e l l as bv research workers: the methods have bee; used by the students'of one of the authbrs and in the laboratory practice of the other. In campariison with the earlier edition, additions include the direct determination of oxygen and the determination of fluorine as well as new methods for the more commonly determined elements. The seotion on standardization of weights has been entirely rewritten. An appendix giving a. list of suitable standard substances is useful to an instructor and mieht be even more useful if tested sources of the compounds were also mentioned. The authors warn the uninitiated of many sources of error. However, in Figure 11 on page 56 the carbon dioxide abmrptian tube is shown in reverse. The book is clearly written and is a. useful addition to the literature in this field. LUCY W. PICKETT M o n m HOLPOEE COLLECE son^" H ~ o ~ ehl*ae~cxuanrra r,
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ANTI-COMPOSITION TABLES FOR CARBON COMPOUNDS (CH, CHO, CHS, & CHOS)
H. H. Hatt, T. Pearcey, and A. Z. Szurner, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Augtralia. Cambridge University Press, London, 1955. 191 pp. 19 X 25 cm. $4. A ~ anRorganic chemist has determined the elemental and weight composition of an unknown material, he needs to consider all the possible molecular formulas which fit the analytical data. The use of the tables in this volume greatly simplifies this task. Table I covers the possible CH ratios (for example: a C/H weight ratio of 8860/1140 corresponds to a formula CaoHd. Table I1 covers all the expectations for CHO. Chemical reasonableness limits the possibilities to those represented by C.H,+l-z,O, where n has all values from 1 to 50, m from 0 to n, and p ranges from 1t o n 3. Because sulfur has exactly twice the atomic weight of oxygen, the figures of these tables can be translated into fonnulas for CHS and CHOS possibilities. A d e quate text explains the use of the 174 pages of solidly set numerical tables.
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W. F. K.
