BOOK REVIEWS Advanced Inorganic Chemistry: A Comprehensive T e d
F. Albe~t Cotton, Massachu~etts Institute of Technology, and G. Wilkinsrm, Imperial College of Science and Technology, London. Interscience Puhlishers i n division of John Wilev and Sons. 1nc.j New ~ o r k 1962. , xv'+ 959 pp. Figs. and tables. $14.50. With this latest addition to the growing literature of inorganic texts, a joint AngloAmeriun venture, two active contributors to t,he field hope to fill the need for a "comprehensive textbook.. . a t an advanced level incorporating the many new chemical developments, particularly the more recent theoretical advances in the interpretation of bonding and reactivity in inorganic compounds." The authors have succeeded admirably in their goal. Particularly striking is their achievement, simultaneously, of halance, comprehensiveness, and up-to-datenees. The text is intended for st.udents a t the B.Sc. honors level in British universities or a t the senior or first y e a ggrduate level in American universities and for an s r ~ d e m i eyear of three l-hour lectures per week. I t s only real competitor, Durrant and Durmnt'a "Introduction to Advanced Inorganic Chemistry," is not as suitable for classroom use. The book "encompasses the chemistry of all the chemical elements and their compounds, including interpretative discussion in the light of the latest advances in stwrtural chemistry, general valence theory, and, particularly, ligand field t.heary." I t is divided into three parts: (1) General Theory (104 pp.); (2) Chemistry of the Non-Trrtnsitional Ele-
ments (379 pp.); and (3) Chen~istlyof the Transition Elements (432 pp.). The last section, almost half the book, considers a class of elements which, although numerically constituting over halfthe periodic table, is often slighted in other texts. The coverage of theory is actually much greater than apparently indicated ahove, since many theoretical concepts are treated in the "descriptive" portions of the book, e.g., hydrogen bonding and acids under Hydrogen, and Fajans' rules and the diagonal relationship under The Elements of the First Short Period. I n the middle section, separate chapters are devoted to the introductory elements of each group, thus effectively emphasizing their divergences from t,heir heavier congeners. The 50-page chapter on The Theory of Metal-Ligand Bonding, with its detailed comparison of the valence bond, electrostatic crystal, ligand field, and molecular orbital theories, is easily the most unique feature of the hook and is typical of the extensive treatment given to coordination compounds. The volume is replete with discussions of boranes, =-bonded eompounds, organometallics, and other topics of intense current research activity. Although nomenclature, nuclear ahemistry, oxidation potentials, scid-hwse theory, and nonaqueous solvents are usually considered in detail in more elementary texts, hrief treatment,^ of these topics would not have been out of place. The detailed tahle of rontents lists every section of t,he book, but the index seems inadequnte. The book is liberally provided with equations, tables, figures, and structural diagrams; a dozen or 80 schematic reaction diagrams compactly summarize a. great deal of diverse informa-
R e v i e w e d in this Issue P. Alhed Cotton and G. Wilkimon, Advanced Inorganic Chemistry: A Comprehensive Text
R. Arendt and L. Ddner, Technik der Experimentalehemie Wollnee R.Brode, editor, Science in P m g m , Twelfth Series F ~ i e d ~ i Helffwieh, eh Ion Exchange Chr. Klizvzill J#rgmsen, Orbitals in Atoms and Molecules Michael J . 8. Deumr, Hypereonjugation William T. Simpson, Theories of Electrons in Molecules Paul Pascal, general editor, Nouveau Trait4 de Chimie Min6rde. Volume 15, Part 3, Transuranieus Paul Paseol, general editor, Nouveau Trait6 de Chimie Min6rde. Volume 20, Alliages MPtalliques. Part I Marcel Flmkin and Howard S . M a s a , editors, Comparative Biochemistry, A Comprehensive Treatise. Volume 4, Constituents of Life, Part B, The Molecular Basis of Neoplasia. E. A . Oslroumov, translated by D.A . Pateraon, The Application of Organic Bsses in Analytical Chemistry John J. McKetta, 57.) editor, Advances in Petroleum Chemistry and Refining. Volume 5 Dnm'd M . Hirnme2blau, Baaic Principles and Calculations in Chemical Engineering Dudley WiViernfi, editor, Methods of Experimental Physics. Volume 3, Molecular Physics
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tion. An appendix includes derivations, solutions, study problems, misrellaneourr data, special references, and a supplementary reading list. The CLP&ton~ir weight scale is used, and some of the referenres a t the ends of chapters are as recent as 196'2. An unusual and useful feature of this wellorganized text book is the inclusion after each reference of hrief evaluations and critical comments which should he helpful in orienting the student.
GEORGE B. K.A~FFMAN Fresno State College Fresno, ('al(fornia
Technik det Exparimenfalchemie
R. Arendt and L. Dormer. i t h ed. Newly revised by Karl-Edmmd Dormer and Waljned Seeger. Quelleand Meyer, Heidelberg, 1962. 442 pp. Figs. and tablea. 16.5 X 24cm. 44DhI. I t is difficult for the American chemistry teacher, a t any level of instruction, to evaluate this volume properly, since in a textual sense, there is virtually no place in our scheme of education where the material fits. Although the reviewer is calling only on limited first-hand euperience. i t is his irnoression that it is atso not mr,v 10 lit llw vdurnc iti1.1 I( 11rt~ud ~PI'PPIIId : , ~(;rrrnnn vhrmi*try wurrr. I,, r ~ ~ t rl u ~ I I P H V W ~ W ( : ~ ~ L L S ~ U 1101 I I II I ~ l h c 1(wl,~vl1ule (assuming a. technical stress) are the students exposed to a real laboratory experience. The hundreds upon hundreds of experiment8 all bordering on the trivial described in "Teehnik der Experimentalehemie," then, are almost exclusively demonstrations to he performed by theinstructionalstaff. The first 70 pages of the book are devoted to general deseript,ions af authors' concepts of a. lshoratory "lny-out,," apparatus for specific preparative purposes, descriptions of bechniques of preparation and analysis. A section i ~ f 1.50 pages is devoted to non-metal chemistry. Preparation and properties of the nonmetals and their compounds are exhaustively covered. A second section covers in about 35 pages srme 23 metals with both members of the representative and transition classes. The coverage given the alkali metals is typical though somewhat mare extensive than that given the others. Air oxidation is demonstrated along with enrnhustion and peroxide formation. Hydroxides are studied from the suhfreshman standpoint. Cnrhnnates are prepared by the Lehlanc and Solvay process. Some quantitative experience is gained through the conversion of hydrogencarbonates to carbonates in measuring the COX evolved. Little or no complex chemistry is found for the transition metals. Each section is terminated with a glimpse of classical anal~bicalreactions. Material is documenbed with references only to the German literature, with one notableexception-that of THIS J O ~ R N A L . Following the inorganic sections there are four sections on aliphatic and aromatio organic chemistry, biological clrernistry, and finally physical chemistry. This last section is little more than a survey of a few physieo-chemical procedures for study-
ing some principles and determining some properties. The initial material in the organic section is devot,ed to elementary qna1it.ative and quantitative analysis. Prepamtion and properties of simlpe aliphatic and aromatic eompounds are demonstrated a t a level comparable to that of the inorganic demonstration. A few experiments are found for virtually all types of organio compounds-proteins, fats, carbohydrat,es, soaps, albumin, rubber, etc. If the student in the age group of about 14 to 19 had, within any one of these years, the time t,o be exposed to this vast number of demonstrations, and if he were to have the unique co-experience of a theoret,ieal treatment (which the reviewer is quite sure he is not), the volume would have some merit. Other books in the same language and oovering this same area are avxilahle. If the authors were to spend more time in defining broad, general principles of preparative techniques, the volume would be quite unique and have oonsidernbly more merit. Fully recagniring tlrst the German-trained chemist has few peers in preparative techniques, it would seem better for the German scientific community t o devote mare time to puhlishing mat,erial covering principles and theory, and less in the wea to which this volume addresses itself. R o n e m C. BUSTED University qf Minnesota Minneapolis
Science in Progtess, Twelfth Series
Edited bv ll'allaee R. Rmde. Yale University Press, N e w Haven, Connecticut, 1 H 2 . xi 331 pp. Figs. and tables. 15 X 22.5c1n. $7.50.
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A quarter century ago, Yale scientist Professor George A. Baitsell initiated a series of volumes entitled "Science in Progress." Subsequently he served as editor of the first nine. This, the twelfth biennial volume in the aeries is based on the Sigma Xi-Resa National Lectures presented during the years 1959 and 1960 and includes a preface by the editor, Dr. Wallace R. Brode. The well-known Sigma Xi National Lectures are intended t o be of general interest to scientists and other "technically understanding"individun1srather than for the specialist. Hence, some familiarity with differential equations, thermodynamic principles, conformationsl analysis, nuclear phenomena and a generally solid background in the sciences are necessary for the fullest enjoyment of this volume. Chemists and a chemical engineer have written four of the dozen lectures. However, two of these are concerned with cultural aspects of science while several others, written by authors who would ordinarily be regarded ss non-chemists, present lectures in which chemistry plays a major role. As a. matter of fact, one of the notnhk characteristics of a number of the articles is the extent t o which they draw from a. hroad spectrum of scientific disciplines. Chemistry Professor Cassidy discusses The Problem of the Sciences and Human-
ities, deplores the cultural fission developing between the seientist and the humanist, urges better communication between the two. The volume under consideration makeslittle if any contribution to this objective, though i t should serve a useful purpose in stemming the tide of cultural fission within the sciences. Chemist Delahay ponders some of the human factors relating to the cultivation of science-motives, methods of inquiry and evaluation of scientific achievement. Australian Trees and Blood Pressure is t,he catchy title of Professor Eldefield's discussion of the methods available to the organic chemist in elucidating the structures of some of the alkaloids (potentially useful as hypotensive drugs) derived from the hark of Alslonia. Chemical Engineer Dodge summarizes in a very comprehensive and seholarly fashion both the throretieel and practical problems involved in obtaining Fresh Water from Saline. The lecture is. however, s bit lengthy and the lead article of the volume by Geologist Kennedy, The Origin of Continents, Mountain Ranges and Ocean Basins maintains a better halance between scientific fact and human interest. Botanist Dawson's Biosynthesis of the Xicotisnx Alkaloids demonstrates very well the increasing importance of chemistry in the interpretations of modern biological science. This emphasis is also evident in Cell Biologist Taylor's discussion of The Problem of Chromosome Renroduetion and the Problem of Codine knd Transmit,ting the Genetic Inheritance, drawing as it. does, rather freely on organic chemistry. This volume is not written for the lay public and would hardly be recommended for t,he average public library. Those colleges and universities believing there is virtue in a student majoring in a science field having a feeling for the interrelationship of the sciences, might well assign a numher of these lectures as required reading. The professional scientist who needs in capsule form information from the mainstreams of science outside of his field of specialization, might well consider purchasing this volume. Research scientists can perform a n invaluable service to their fellow workers by writing general interest summary articles such as found in this volume.
in the preface, "The mathematically disinclined reader may now cheerfully skip all mathematical equations and deductions without loss of continuity. The theoretical perfectionist will, I hope, excuse the sacrifice of rigor for the sake of simplicity in qualitative explanations which were written for the benefit of his mare pedestrian colleagues." Both the rigorous treatment and the qualitdive explanations are done superbly ~ d l . Thus the book can serve both the casual reader who wants to obtain a broad knowledge of the properties and applications of ion exchangers and also the specialist who wants to delve exhaustively into some aspect of the general suhject. If the book should fail to contain the information sought, the extensive list. of references will guide the reader in further search. The author also states in the preface, "As English is not my native tctngue, I must b$ the reader% forbearance regarding my style." This apology is quite unnecessary. The style and eomposition are better than one finds in many scientific books by American-horn authors. The titles of the chapters are: ( I ) Elementary Principles, (2) Structure and Properties of Ion Exchrtngers, (3) Preparation, (4) Capacity, (5) Equilibria, (6) Kinetics, (7) Electrochemical Properties, (8) Ion-exchanger Membranes, (9) Ion-exchange Columns, (10) Behavior in Xonaqueous and Mixed Solvents, (11) Catalysis by Ion Exchangers, (12) Electron Exchangers and Redon Ion Erchan&rs. The discussion covers ionexchange minerals, synthetic inorganic exchangers, ion-exchange resins, and liquid ion exchangers. Principles rather than applications are emphaisised. I h c h chnpter includes a summary uf 4 pages or less. The reviewer recommends that the reader who browses through the book s t a t with these summaries: they will indicate to him which chapters he should study in detail. The binding, paper, and printing are good. There are surprisingly few typrr graphic errors. WILLIAMRIEMAN111 RUgem, The Stale Uniumitg New Bmnswirk, Sew Jersey
Orbitals in Alomr and Molecules
Ion Exchange
Feedrich Helferich, University of California, Berkeley. McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., New York, 1962. ix 6'24 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 em. $16.
Chr. Klizhull JBrgensen, Cyanamid European Research Institute, Cologny, Geneva, Switzerland. Academic Press, Inc., London, 1962. v 182 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 em. $6.
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This is the most thorough, the most scholarly, and the best book that has appeared on this subject. I t differs from "Ionenaustauscher" (1959) by the same author in being more up-tc-date and in separating more sharply the qualitative rxpl~nations from the rigorous mathematical treatment. The author states
as a clasification of the sl-mmetry types and relative order of hw-lying excited energy leve!~." All sorts i,f chemical eompounds are discussed, with the expected bias in favor of transition metal complexes. This hook is for thc "inorganic physicist," the scientist who is not only a t home in the group theoretical dcscripVolume 40, Number
4, April 1963
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