typical problems. As a preface to the experiments, five lessons review the use of the slide rule and the fundamental mathematical conoepts necemary to the work in general ohemistry. As the author states, the experiments are presented in a direct, simple, and comprehonsible manner so that no student should find i t necessary to spend a great amount of time pusaling over the meaning of the instructions. Unfortunately, thore is little to excite the interest of a better than average student. Probably a firat-class student will find himself reeating activities already performed in a. good high-school chemistry course. THOMAS C. VAN OSDALL SANTAAN* COLGEOE SANT*AN*, CALIFORNIA
TECHNIQUE OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY. VOLUME 11: CATALYTIC, PHOTOCHEMICAL, AND ELECTROLYTIC REACTIONS Edited by Arnold Weissberger, Research Laboratories, Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, New York. Second edition. Interscience Publishers, Inc.. New York, 543 pp. 8 7 figs. 79 1956. ix tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. $1 1.50.
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"TECANIQUEof Organic Chemistry" is a series of volumes dmignod to keep the organic chemist abreast of modern developments in technique, methods, approaches, facilities, and interpretations. Nine volumes have already heen pnhlished, and further volumes are cont,emplated 8s developments make i t dcsirablo and authors of adequate qnaliticstions are available. The series a8 a whole is aimed nt s consistent presentation of the field, hut each volome is a self-contained unit, and is revised and brought up to date whenever the development in the particular field makes i t necessary. Volume 11, as well as Volumes I, 111, and V, will he available in second editions by tho end of 1956. Catalytic, photmhcmieal, and eloctroehemicsl reactions, more than many other hrsnohep of preparative organic chemistry, require special apparatus and techniques. The subst,antial advances that have been made since the first edition appeared in 1948 are refleetod in this greatly expanded sceond edition which includes, as completely ncw material, a long section giving detailed procedures for catalytic reactions and tables of more than 500 electrolytic reactions, showing reactants, products, yields, and literature references. The comorehensiveness of this volume is attested b y the more than 1530 specific references and 48 general references which are included. Catalytic, photochemical, and electrolytic reactions have heen used far a long time in preparative organic chemistry but have not found as wide an application as they might deserve. Apparatus for electrochemical work, though very simple, is available in relatively few organic laboratories. Photochemical reactions are cmplayed in the organic laboratory in a rat,hor haphaeard way. I t is helieved t,hnt the three chapters will dem(Conlinued on page AISO) VOLUME 34, NO. 3, MARCH, 1957
Eecent onstrate their meribs and versatility and oncow-age their nw. The section of Cotalgfic Reactions offers extensive suggestions, direct,ions, and theoretical heckground on hydrogenation, hydrogenolysit, dehydrogenation, oxidation, hydration, dehydration, isomerisation, polymerization, alkylation, dealkylation, and ion exchangers. Fe~v, if any, comparahlp voh~mcshave been relcased that contain w r h n vast storphauae of ns
