Syntheses of Heterocyclic Compounds. Volumes 1 ond 2
Edited by A. L. Mndzhoian. Translated from the Russian by A . E. Stubbs. Consultants Bureau, Inc., New York, 1959. 84 pp. Figs. 15.5 X 23.5 cm. $6.
In the preface to these volumes, Dr. Mndzhoian cites the need for preparative information on the syntheses of heterocyclic compounds. To fill this need, the Institute of Fine Organic Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of the Armenian SSR has initiated the publication of what is to be a continuing series of volumes devoted to this subject. It is pointed out that for reasons connected with the national economy, furane chemistry is extremely important and because of this, these initial volumea have been confined to this area. They contain detailed procedures for the preparation of some sixty fursne derivatives so interrelated that, given enough corn cobs and a few simple chemicals, one wuld work his way through the entire group. I t is understandable but unfoc tunate that none of the preparations (except that of furfural itself) involves the construction of the furane nucleus. The pattern of these volumes is intentionally and precisely that of "Organic Syntheses" including the familiar "proposed by," "checked by," notes, other methods of preparation, and literature cited. The literature seems complete through 1954 as clsimed, and the reviewer detected several reference8 of 1957 vintage. The publishers of the translation have appended an index containing names of eompounda prepared and entries such as scylation, Cannimara reaction, ohloromethylation, Chisen-Schmidt condensation, decarboxylstion, esterification, FriedeECrafts reaction, Grignard reaction, hydrogenation, Knoevensgel reaction, lithium aluminum hydride, replacement reactions, and Wallach reaction. In general the procedures are straightforward and the techniques seem good although the reviewer feels that the use of ethyl acetate for destruction of excess lithium aluminum hydride is probably better, though admittedly less sp&acular, than that of water. Incidentally, the preparation of lithium aluminum hydride is described. While five of the preparations are to be found in essentiilly unchanged form in Organic Syntheses and many others are (in the reviewers opinion) adequately described in the literature, and while a few of the preparations are so simple that one questions the necessity of treating them in so detailed a fashion (the saponification of methyl 5-metbyl-2-furoate, the interaction of furoic acid with thionyl cbloride or of phenylmrtgnesium bromide with furfural, for example), some twenty-four of the compounds prepared have been described only in recent issues of Doklady Akad. Nauk. dm.SSR. The book seems to be inexpensively but sturdily hound and the reviewer was able to detect no errors in the writing. R. L. MCKEE University of North Carolina Chapel HiU
274
/
lournal o f Chemical Education
The Chemistry of Heredily
Stephan Zamenhoj, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York. Charles C Thomas, Publisher, Springfield, Illinois, 1959. xii I06 pp. Figs. and tables. 14.5 X 22 om. $4.25.
+
This is a popular explanation of the present statun of the chemiesl basis for h e redity. Professor Zamenhof explains the fundamentals without delving too deeply into either genetics or organic chemistry. He emphasizes reported results and eonclusions and he creates a oomorehensive
istry, and biophysics. The chapter titles include: Mechanisms of Heredity, Heredity Ilete-inilnts as Chemical Substances, The Nucleic Acids, Mutation, Intermediary System and CvtO~lsSmioInheritance. The Periohersl
suggested far further examination of each experiment and theory. This book provides a ready reference to the original descriptions of outstanding historical experiments in physics. Because of the collateral historical material and editorial notes, this book merits consideration for the limited library, as well as for student use in connection with courses in scientific literature and history. I t is well hound and produced in a pleasing, readable format that makes for enjoyable and instructive "outside" reading. W. H. SUBAUQH Owgm State College Corvallis
Principles of Dairy Chemistry
Robert Jenness, University of Minnesota, and Stuart Patton, Pennsylvania State University. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1959. viii 446 pp. Figs. and tables. 15.5 X 23.5 cm. $8.75.
+
is included. To this reviewer, an organic chemist, the book is a fascinating, readily-eomprehensible, thoughkprovoking account of the progress which life scientists have made in attacking one of the most perplexing problems of science. Chemists of every persuasion will find this a thrilling, informative, and brief report. W. T.LIPPINCOTT Univewity of Flmida Gainemilk
G r a d Experiments in Physics
Edited by Morris H. Shamos, Washington Square College, New York University. Henry Holt and Co., New York, 370 pp. Figs. 17 X 24 1959. viii cm. $4.40.
+
This hook is essentially s. reprinting of the original papers far 19 historiedly basic experiments and 5 equally basic theories of physics. It includes nearly 30 illustrations, several of which are from original sources. A modern thread thoughtfully holds the collection together by means of editorial continuity which defines obsolete words, gives explanatory notes and many items of interest contemporary with the original work as well as with the present. Following the introduction, which contains a refreshing view of the history of science, one finds the names of those who designed the pillars of modern science through experiment and theoryGalileo, Boyle, Newton, Fresnel, Famday, Roentgen, Einstein, Millican, Bohr, m d Planek, to mention a few. Each experiment is preceded with a short biographical sketch of the worker in which the editor reveals a warm appreciation of human nature. The original description of the experiment is amply illuminated by marginal notes that clarify and modernize its meaning. The appendix deals in a similar fashion with five basic theorieselectromagnetio field, quantum hypothesis, relativity, the Bobr atom, and the Comp ton effect. Supplementary readings are
"Principles of Dairy Chemistry" ia a textbook in which an attempt haa been made to "interpret and integrate widely scattered data in the dairy field with basic principles of chemistry." Details of methods and technology are omitted or dealt with lightly if thorough coverage is to be found in other texts. References to these are provided. Controversial subjects are handled in such a way as to invite further inquiry, with numerous well chosen citations included. Variat,ions in milk composition are related to the physiology of the cow, feed, management, and other environmental faotors. The chapter on nutritive value of milk is appropriately included; nutrient composition is closely related to the chemical and physical properties of milk, and the student of dairy chemistry needs orientation in the field of nutrition. The inclusion in the appendix of the Recammended Dietary Allowances, Revised 1958, published by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council and also the Summary of Information on the Vitamins, further emphasizes the close relation between milk chemistry and the value of milk as a food. The list of chapter headings givea an ides of the scope of this hook: The Composition of Milk, Lipids, Lactose, Proteins, Salts, Enzymes, Miscellaneous Substances, Physical Properties, The Physical Chemistry of Milk Fat Globules, Physical Chemistry of the Caaeinate-Phosphate Particles, The Effects of Heat, Flavors and Off-Flavors, Nutritive Value, Recommended Dietary Allowances, Revised 1958, and Summary of Information on the Vitamins Irr tlcc opinion of the revirwr this t,ook wrll bt. rrelcomrd and found most hrlpful by both S I U ~ P I I I Sand tmrhers of dairy chemistry and technology.
JOHN WILLIAMHIBBB Ohio Agricultural Ezperimat Station Wooster, Ohio (Conlimed on page AAS16)
