not been included except where they obviously can be considered from a donoracceptor standpoint. There appeer to be two general objectives of the book: ( I ) acquaint the reader with the general mpects of molecular complexes with regards to means of detection, extent of complex formation, and elucidation of structure, and (2) review the function of donor-acceptor molecular complex formation to various phases of organic chemistry and reaction mechanisms. The first five chapters, which deal with the former objective, constitute roughly 70% of the book, whereas only the remaining 30y0 covers the latter topic. Most all of the material in the first five chapters is covered ins. more mathematioal and rigorous manner in G. Briegleb's book, "Molekulverhindungen und Koordinationsverhindungen in Einzeldsrstellugen: Elektronen-Donator-Aceepto~~Komplexe." The authors suggest this reference for a more exhaustive survey and this reviewer would quite agree that thia would he necessary in order to obtsin a deeper understanding of the fundamental concepts. Andrews and Keefer, writing for organic chemists, have covered the subject with a minimum amount of mathematics. One frequently questions whether a subject is made easier to comprehend or more confusing by eliminating the mathematical development. Possibly a compromise could be reached which would treat the subject more rigorously without the laborious detail of Briegleb's presentation. The latter objective mentioned above is covered in thelast chapter of the book. I t appears to be well done and one might wish to see this expanded considerably if new editions are anticipated. The book irr not free of errors, but fortunately many of these are typographical and are obviously corrected. More serious is an error or confusion in equations 5-8 on pp. 25-26 where [ I are used to represent initial concentrations of A and D before complex formation, but [DA] represents the actual concentration of thecomplex. Inequation (8), (C~)ishould be [Ali and more appropriately, although not in error, (Co)i should be replaced by [Dli. Still more confusing ZD and ZA are used to repreeent initial concentrations of D and A in Chapter 1V. The ionierttion potentials for the highly methyl-suhstituted benzenes are now available and graphs (e.g., p. 95) relating the number of alkyl groups with a molecular complex parameter should be changed to a. relationship with ionization potentid. Graphs or spectra could be used in several places to support statements such as "a correlation exists" or "an effect is observed." In conclusion the hook is recommended as an initial introduction to the eubject but the serious student or research investigator should not he content with thin treatment. Briegleb's hook, Mulliken and Person's chapter in Ann. Rev. Phw. Chem., other review articlea and original references should he consulted. The book could he read by advanced seniors and first year graduate students.
Organic Complexing Reagents: Structure, Behavior, and Application to Inorganic Analysis
D. D. Pewin, Australian National University, Csnberm. Interscience Publishers (a division of John Wiley and Sons, Inc.), New York, 1964. xi 365 pp. Figs. and tables. 15.5 X 23.5 cm. $12.
Analytied Properties of the Elements are discussed in Chapters 12 and 13, respectively. The final chapter is devoted to Seeking New Organic Reagents for Use in Inornanic Analvsis.
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Volume 18 is an addition to the impreaeive series of monagraphsonChemica1Analysis edited by P. J. Elving and I. M. Kolthoff. This volume is almost unique smong books on chemical analysis in that it places great emphasis on basic principles rather than the "cook-book" approach so often encountered even today. The author makes the following statement in the preface: "The need for a fundamental approach to chemical analysis is evident from the important relation between theory and practice in every piece of research aimed a t improving existing analytical methods, discovering new ones, or adapting known methods to special problems. A sound knowledge of the thwree icd basis of chemical reactions used in analysis undoubtedly places the investigator in a far stronger position in developing new methods." Following a rather short introduction, the author devotes Chapter 2 to a discussion of Chemical Bonds. Adequate, but not extensive, treatment is given to the electrostatic, valence band, molecular oribital and ligand-field theories of chemical bonding. Chapter 3 is concerned with Stereochemistry and Stability of Metal Complexes. Such topics as ligand6eld effects, polarizshility and covalent character, steric effects, stability constants of metal complexes, thermodynamics of complex formation and the chelate effect are discussed. Chapter 4 on the Effects of Complex Formation on Oxidation-Reduction Patentials is very well done. Chapter 5 deals with Factors Governing the Rates of Formation and Dissociation of Complexes, and also their Rates of Oxidation and Reduction. Chapter 6 is devoted to Effects of Complex-Forming Species on Cation Concentrations. In addition to a good treatment of such subjects ss hydrolysis effects and complexometric titrations, rather extensive tables are included which list most of the common masking agents for many of the cations and anions. Chapter 7 includes discussions of adsorption indicators, ion exchange, chromatography and polarography of metd complexes under the general title of Surface Phenomena. Chapter 8 is devoted to Visible and Ultraviolet Absorption Spectra of Metal Complexes, and Chapter 9 is concerned with the Solubility of Complexes. Chapter 9 is one of the better chapters and after a fairly detailed discue aim of solubility, closes with an interesting discussion of factors governing the seleotion of a precipitant for inorganic cations. Extraction into Organic Solvents is the subject matter of Chapter 10 and Reaotions of Organic Reagents with Inorganic W. E. WENTW~RTH Anions is discussed in Chapter 11. Procedures for Detecting and Determining University of Houston Howion, Tezas Inorganic Neutral Molecules and the
noted, however, e.g., a misplaced parenthesis in the equation on p. 58 and the lower curve in Figure 4.2 should he labeled Cu1L2. A few inconsistencies in nomenclature appear in the book, e.g., -,a'hipyridine and 2,2'-bipyridine as well as 1,lO-phenanthroline and o-phenanthrolme. The book is a welcome addition to the literature of analytical chemistry. Every analytical chemist with a serious desire to better understand the chemistry of analytical chemistry will want a copy of this hook in his library. C a m s V. BANKS Zmua State University
Ames
The Life of the Cell
J . A . V. Butler, University of London. Basic Books. Inc.. New York. 1965. 167 pp. ~ i i s . and tables. i4.5 X 21.5 cm. $4.50. This book by Professor Butler deals in a most intriguing fashion with the story of l i f e h o w it succeeds now, and bow it may have arisen, here on earth and elsewhere in the solar system. I t is very readable, and understandable by otherwise well-read persons, including those beyond the sophomore level of college. I t should be a welcome addition for the bookshelves of students in biochemistry, biology, and biophysics, as well as selected students in organic chemistry and the physical sciences. Dr. Butler demonstrates repeatedly his ability to present his material in interesting and learnable fashion by frequently injecting the latest research findings intohis developing story. This is made more interesting by him by adroitly suspending discussion or changing to another subject a t strategic moments, meanwhile leaving some important questions unanawered, awaiting the outcome of appropriate research. The stimulus that this book should provide to well-qualified young minds should be very great. To the older person who may wonder about current developments in the field, espec i d y when these are compmd to the immense strides that are taking place in other fields (such as engineering sciences), this hook is reassuring. The rate of accretion of information about life is very great indeed. Technically, "The Life of the Cell" is very readable, although it is a trifle disappointing. This reader has been subjected to the writines of several Britons kho are real masters of the written word and who are sympbanists by comparison. The hook suffers slightly from too casual reading of proof and accompanying grammatical and spelling "slips!' Also, the slight difference between British and American spelling and language structure
Volume
42, Number 8, August 1965
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461
habits will detract very slightly (in this country) from the hook's over-all acceptability. Also-nd this is a more serious criticism-it is probably inevitable that any single person's degree of acquaintance with every field within a given subject will vary; in this situation, this reviewer feels that the treatment given to chemotherapeutic agents (Chapter 12) is too cavalier, even including errors, in the definition of sz~lphonamide(should he sulphanilamide) and anlibioties (includes, wrongly, all antimetsbolites). Finally, the reader is given the erroneous impression that Fildes and Woods were colleagues or, at least, co-workers. They were in fact independent workers, who were personally acquainted with each other, but who han~ened to work (simulta neously) on .
