book reviews Editor: W . F. KIEFFER
had long and intimate contact with earbon-14. They are therefore emminently qualified to write this book and the book reflects their extensive acquaintance with all aspects of this isotope. BERT At. TOLDERT University of Colorado Boulder
College of Woorter
Woatrr, Ohio
Vernon F . Raaen and H e l a P. Raaen, both of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee, and Gus'A. Ropp, Coker College, Hartsville, South Cwolina. McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 388 pp. Figs..and tables. 1968. x 17.5 X 23.5 cm. 515.
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There has been great need for a new book on carbon-14 for many years. "Carbon-14" fills that need and in effect is a replacement for "Isotopic Carbon" (Calvin, et al., John Wiley & Sons, 1949) which has been out of print for some years now. This book is an essential and important reference work for everyone who may wish to work with this isotope. I think it is a necessary addition to every contemporary science library and could well be added to the personal collection of anyone who uses this tracer extensively. This volume is a wide-ranging review of the experimental techniques used in chemi d studies with carbon-14. Although the experimental examples are all dmwn from chemistry, the techniques themselves are of great importance to the biological chemist, and the book is equally useful to the biologist as to the chemist. The experimentalliteraturerelated to this isotope is so large that it can no Longer he covered in its entirety, and the authors have properly chosen to discuss and review only the most representative and pertinent aspects of this subject. Because of this limited coverage the experimentalist will need to supplement this book with references in specific areas, e.g., gas c!xomatography, radiation chemistry, and scintillation counting. Such references are abundantly supplied and well-chosen. This book is divided into four main sections: introduction, applications, experimentation, and use (in organic reac-
-Reviewed
tions). Minor appendices and good name and subject indexes conclude the volume. The more useful or extensively treated subjects are covered in chapters on isotope dilution methods, kinetic isotope effects, synthesis of labeled com~ounds.deaadai tion, assay of osrbon-14 &mp&nds, chromatography, autoradiography, and model experiments. The latter is interesting; the authors have tried to show the chemist ways to use isotopes by describing actual experiments in which carbon-14 was used to solve specific problems. I think that the inquiring chemistry student will read this section with some interest. All the rest of the chspters are good reviews of the state of the art in the given area and are fine starting points for library work when one is initiating studies using carbon-14. The major weaknesses of this book are first, many major subjects relating to carbon-14 are treated in a qualitative or relatively shallow fashion, and second, specific experimental details are usually not given. For the experimentalist who has limited access to the scientific literature these deficiences can often be quite frustrating and the absence of good tbeoretical treatments limits the value of this hook as a, tesching tool. However, in defense of the authors, I can only say that a comprehensive volume would either cover far fewer subjects and/or he much larger, more expensive, and probably could not be written in a cohesive style by just three authors. About the authors: In the early development of csrban-14 three major centers for synthesii and use of carbon-14 were created within the AEC: in Berkeley (under M. Calvin), in Los. Alamos (under A. R. Ronio) and in Oak Ridge (under C. J. Collins). Two ofthe authors of this volume were nlembers of the original Oak Ridge Laboratory group and thus have
in this Issue
Vernon F. Raaen, Helm P. Raaen, and Gus A . Ropp, Carbon-14
. . ,465
Sidney Siggia, Survey of Analytical Chemistry
. . .465
Leicester F . Hainillon, Stephen G. Simpson, and David W . Ellis, Calculrttions of Analytical Chemistry
. . 466
Marcel Florkin and Elmer Statz, editon, Comprehensive Biochemistry
. . .466
Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia
. . .A500
Survey of Analytical Chemistry
Sidney Siggia, University of Massachusetts. McGraw-Hill Book Co., New 304 pp. Figs. and York, 1968. xiii tables. 13.5 X 23.5 cm. $9.95.
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Professor .Siggis, with his wealth of experience in industry and university, is well qualified to prepare a text on this subject. The book presents a broad view of the increasingly important field of rlndytical chemistry. As the author pdints out, this manuscript is not intended to provide details of theory and application. The format is excellent; each ehapter is devoted to a type of analysis and includes a summary table on techniques and general applicability phts a fine group of suggested references for further reading. Professor Siggia notes that the text will he of value t o students and practicing analytical chemists. "For the sbudent, the text can form a framework around which he can build wit,h the more detailed, factnal information he gathers during his school years. Far the practicing analytical chemist, the text can be used as a guide to screen available approaches with which he might handle his specific problem." The book consists of 12 chapters covering (1) Introduction, (2) Elemental Analysis, (3) Functional-Group Analysis, (4) Identification and Struotnre Dete~mination,(5) Molecular Weight and Molecular Weight Distribution, (6) Physical Properties, (7) Gross and Surface Examination of Materials, (8) Analysis for Trace Quantities, (9) Assay in the Range of High Purity, (10) Tracers, (11) Analytical Separations, and (12) Automatic Analysis. Several authors contributed excellent discussions on particular techniques or areas of analysis. This reviewer was particularly impressed with the section on trace analysis by Dr. E. Sawicki and the chapter an separations by Professor L. B. Rogers. For a book of this type, opinions will vary considerably on what sboold be included. On the whole, the author chose well. However, several items struck this reviewer as suita.hl.ble for inclusion or modification. For example, the big advantage of X-ray fluorescence as a widerange technique for direct elemental analysis on many materials could have been stressed more, as well as micrometbods and attenuated total reflectance as important developments in infrared spectroscopy. The fine chapter a n functional groups illustrates the advantages in many cases of the combination of chemical reaction and speotroseopy for selective Volume 46, Number
7, July 1969
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465
book reviews analysis. Mention of coulometry and pulse polarography in the electraanalytical section would have seemed desirable. In Chapter Four, the nmr discussion would have benefited from illustration of effect of magnetic field on resolution. Also, in this and in some other sections, mention of the type of instrument employed to obtain the spectra shown would have been helpful to the reader. For crystalline substances, X-ray diffraction is often the simplest and fastest method for identification, pmtieularly where reference can be made to the Hanawalt or ASTM tables. The deseription of thermal methods beginning on page 132 would have been improved considerably by use of one or two DTA thermogrsms showing the response to different types of thermally induced transitions; e.g., sulfur which in a single t,hermogram can show solid-solid, solidliquid, and liquid-gas transitions. In Chapter Six, reference to specific dispersion would have been useful since the combination of refractive index and density often defines class of compounds. In Chapter Twelve, reference to compttter techniques (on-line and off-line) would have been desirable for both programming and data reduction. On the whole, this reviewer was quite idpressed with this text. Dr. Siggia demonstrates very well how a little chemistry, together with instrumentation, often provides the most efficient and effective approach to analysis of complex systems. The book, which is modestly priced, is recommended as a good survey hook well supplied with fine references from which the reader may obtain details. JOHNM I T C H ~ JR. L, E. I. du Pont de Newmum & Co., Inc. Wilmingta, Delaware
Calculdionr of Analytical Chemistry
Leieester F. Hamiltan, Stepha
a. S i m p
son,both of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and David W. Ellis, University of New Hampshire. 7th ed. MeGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 511 pp. Figs. and tahles. 1968. xiv 17 X 23.5 em. $8.50.
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When a. book has, as in the present instance, appeared in six previous editions it seems unnecessary to comment on features retained from its predecessors. Those familiar with earlier editions will find almost the same format and material in the first thirteen chapters, although a few new problems have been added. The chapter on Compleximetry has been improved by the addition of a section on organic chelating agents, and the chapter on Potentiometry now includes a brief mention of specific ion electrodes. Similarly the section on Polarography has been expanded to include ehronopotentiometry. The principal change from the pre-
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Journal of Chemical Education
ceding edition lies in the considerable expansion of material on "instrumental" analysis. The chapter on Absorptiometry has been revised to include photometrio titrations, precision spectrophotometry, infra-red and atomic absorption. Completely new chapters have been added an emission methods, X-ray, nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, refractometry and polarimetry, mdiochemistry, thermal methods, chromatography, extraction methods, kinetic methods and functional group analysis. Many of the problems in these new sections are made more meaningful by the inclusion of references to the original literature. A welcome change is the practice of writing half-cell resctions as reductions. This should serve to reduce confusion among students. As in earlier editions answers are included for a majority of the problems. Those who have used the hook in its earlier editions will find this latest revision to be a distinct improvement. It can be recommended for those who find that a supplementary problem book is desirable.
life, excluding the cofsctors of biological oxidation. Section I11 (Volumes 12161, is entitled Biochemical Reaction Mechanisms and is concerned almost exclusively with enzymology. Volume 13, now in its second edition, comprises the report on nomenclature of the Enzyme Commission of the International Union of Biochemistry. Section IV, Metabolism (Volumes 17-21) is devoted to the anabolic and catabolic reactions occurring at all levels of cellular organization and the control mechanisms to which these pathway8 are subject. Section V, Chemical Biology (Volumes 22-31) is designed to deal with some of the forefront problems of modern biology to which the prefix "molecular" will ultimately be attached. Volume 30 of this last section will be devoted to the History of Biochemistry, and Vohune 31 will comprise the General Index. Obviously, far a work so comprehensive the index will be a critical section and will have to he compiled with great diligence and accuracy. In reviewing a treatise as large as "Comprehensive Biochemistry," one can only hope to take note of those parts JOHNR. HAYES which, in this reviewer's lone opinion, The Pennsylvania Slate University are the most appealing. The many auUniversity Park, 18802 thors whose chapters may not he mentioned need no6 feel that their eontributions are any less scholarly. The first section, whose major mission is to review areas of physical and organic chemistry pertinent to biochemistry, is perhaps open to the most criticism and suggestion. For example, Chapter I1 of Volume 1 provides an excellent treatment Comprehensive Biochemistry of the electronic theory of organic moleclues but is slim in its references to probEdited by Marcel Flmkin, University of lems of application to biological structure. Liege, and Elmer If. Stotz, University of Chapter I of Volume 2, treating MeehRochester School of Medicine. Amerianisms of Organic Reactions, is superb can Elsevier Publishing Co. 52 Vanand is highly relevant to one of the forederbilt Ave., New York. Volumes front areas of contemporary biochemistry. 1-16, 20, 22, 23, 26A, 26B, 27, and 28. This chapter is indeed a book within a 15.5 X 23 cm. Entire series approx. book and could well be used as such in $450. Individual volumes a v a i l a b l e any advanced course in organic chemistry price varies with volume. for a graduate hiochemistry department. When the thirty-one volumes of "ComChapters 111-VI, dealing with Emission prehesive Biochemistry" are completed in Spectroscopy, Spectrophotometry in the the near future, they will truly represent Ultraviolet and Visible Region, Infra-red ". . . . a monumental labor of scholarship." Spectra, and Fluorescence are extremely In this courageous work, Professors F l o ~ relevant and understandable to any adkin and Stote and their distinguished ad- vanced student of biochemistry and pervisory board have sought out the most haps nowhere else in current treatises will competent scholars in biochemistry and vet tharoueh. one find such a concise.. , ., t,he results are indeed amazing. It would trcatlucl~tirf thw iniporln!bt nrca of analytibe highly presumptuous for one student cal b~urhcn~isrry.in \ol~tnw4, Sepxmof biology to serve as critic for a comtion \Ictbuds, the f i n d chapter deuli~tg prehesive treatise such as this, and, there with gas chromatography presents an fore, it is with trepidation and humility elegant introduction to a relatively new that this reviewer offers his perspective of technique whichis now reaching the height the work. of its evolution. In addition to treating the main body Section 11, dealing with the chemistry of information, which mav be termed of biological compounds, has presented a "classical," the'treat.ise has'also aimed to unique challenge for a treatise such as include selected topics on the origins and Comprehensive Biochemistry. It can be projections of hiochemistry. With this argued that much of the material covered objective, the work is divided into five has been presented in much more detail sections. Section I, Physico-Chemical elsewhere, often by the same authors. and Organic Aspects of Biochemistry Possibly for this reason, one finds in this (Volumes 1 4 ) presents a collection of sectibn the greatest variation in the ratios chapters which are relevant to the underof the numbers of literature references to standing of chemical structure, reaction the numbers of chapter pages. As an mechanisms, and hiochemicdmethodology. example, in Volume 6, the excellent chapSection 11, Chemistry of Biological Comter an phospholipids, glycolipids, and pounds (Volumes 5-11), treats the organic sphingolipids contains no references to the chemistry of the major constituents of original literature. One other personal
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