Journal
350 electrons
are
paired and the “loosened” structure
in which two of the electrons
are
R\t l/R /C—C\
R/ \R supposed to be impaired but to
have opposed spins. Since two electrons with opposed spins are, by definition, paired, these structures are not mesomeric but identical. A similar error is found on page 151, where it is stated that mesomerism occurs in the oxygen molecule among the three structures
:0::0:, :6::6:, and :0:6:. Of
J. Chem. Educ. 1940.17:350. Downloaded from pubs.acs.org by 188.68.3.85 on 10/03/18. For personal use only.
identical with the first if the
these, the second is
electrons shown isolated are supposed to have opposed spins, while, on the other hand, it cannot resonate with the others if those two electrons are supposed to have parallel spin; in neither case can the first and third structures be reconciled with the paramagenetism of the molecule. On the other hand, the reviewer is glad to note that the difficult distinction between tautomerism and mesomerism is drawn both clearly and correctly. Although there are brief chapters on applications of the theory of mesomerism to the question of intermolecular forces and to the relationship between constitution and color, the major portion of the book is concerned with applications to the reactions of organic molecules. It is inevitable that in such a new and rapidly changing field there should be differences of opinion on a number of points. The reviewer, for example, is unable to agree that the author's alternating inductive effect (A-Effekt) in saturated chains is either theoretically sound or consistent with the weight of experimental evidence. He is also unable to agree that the picture of orientation of substituents in aromatic rings presented by the author is as generally satisfactory as that due to Robinson and to Ingold. It would be a mistake, however, to dwell at too great length on such points as these, which are perhaps not yet out of the controversial stage. In any case, it cannot be denied that the book makes interesting and thought-provoking reading for anyone who would like to know something about the “why” as well as the “what” of organic chemistry. G. W. Wheland The University
of
two
Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Review of Biochemistry, Volume VIII. James Murray Luck, Editor, and James H. C. Smith, Associate Editor. Annual Reviews, Inc., Stanford University Post Office, California, 1939. ix *f 676 pp. 15 X 22.5 cm. $5.00. Volume VIII of the Annual Review of Biochemistry contains the following chapters: “Biological Oxidations and Reductions,” M. Dixon (pp. 1-36); “Proteolytic Enzymes,” K. Linderstr0mLang (pp. 37-58); “Nonproteolytic Enzymes,” K. Myrbaek (pp. 59-80); “Polysaccharides and Lignin,” K. Freudenberg (pp. 81-112); “X-Ray Studies of the Structure of Compounds of Biological Interest,” W. T. Astbury (pp. 113-32); “The Chemistry of the Acyclic Constituents of Natural Fats and Oils,” R. J. Anderson and L. F. Salisbury (pp. 133-54); “The Chemistry of Proteins and Amino Acids,” A. Tiselius (pp. 155-84); “The Chemistry and Metabolism of the Compounds of Sulfur,” G. Medes (pp. 185-210); “Carbohydrate Metabolism,” I. L. Chaikoff and A. Kaplan (pp. 211-30); “Lipid Metabolism,” W. M, Sperry (pp. 231-48); “Metabolism of Proteins and Amino Acids,” R. W. Jackson and J. P. Chandler (pp. 249-68); “Mineral Metabolism: Calcium, Magnesium, and Phosphorus,” D. M. Greenberg (pp. 269-300); “Hormones,” J. Freud, E. Laqueur, and O. Muhlbock (pp. 301-48); “Choline as a Dietary Factor,” C. H. Best and J. H. Ridout (pp. 349-70); “The WaterSoluble Vitamins,” C. G. King (pp. 371-414); “Fat-Soluble Vitamins,” E, M. Nelson and C. D. Tolle (pp. 415-34); “Metabolism of Brain and Nerve,” J. H. Quastel (pp. 435-62); “The Alkaloids,” L. Small (pp. 463-82); “Chemical Aspects of Photosynthesis,” H. Gaffron (483-502); “Mineral Nutrition of Plants,” J. W. Shive and W. R. Robins (pp. 503-20); “Growth Hormones in the Higher Plants,” F. W. Went (pp. 521-40); “Animal Poisons,” C, H. Kellaway (pp. 541-56); “Ruminant Nutrition,” Annual
of
Chemical Education
H. R. Marston (pp. 557-78); “Immunochemistry,” M. W. Chase and K. Landsteiner (pp. 579-610); “The Biochemistry of Yeast,” E. I. Fulmer (pp. 611-26). The volume also contains author and subject indices. Otto Reinmuth Chicago Chicago, Illinois
The University
of
Kurzes
Lehrbuch der Physikalischen Chemie. Dr. Hermann Ulich, Professor fur physikalische Chemie der Technischen Hochschule Aachen. Theodor Steinkopff, Dresden and Leipsig, 1938. xvi + 315 pp. 15 X 24 cm. 12 RM. The book is designed to give the student of chemistry, physics, metallography, engineering, and biology an adequate view of physical chemistry in a single volume. The first chapter deals in adequate fashion with the gaseous, liquid, and solid states and introduces solutions. After this the use of thermodynamics is emphasized in dealing with homogeneous and heterogeneous chemical equilibria, including a brief treatment of electrochemistry. Chapter III includes a treatment of kinetics in homogeneous and heterogeneous systems with examples of acid-base catalyzed reactions, contact catalysis, and diffusion processes. The fourth section gives an excellent picture of the forces between atoms and molecules. The author, by a wise choice of material, has succeeded in his purpose. The book is recommended to teachers and students of physical chemistry. Martin Kilpatrick University
Pennsylvania
of
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania
States of the Elements and Their Potentials in Aqueous Solutions. Wendell M. Latimer, Ph.D., Professor of Chemistry, University of California. Prentice Hall, Inc., New York City, 1938. xiv + 352 pp. 2 figs. 15 X 21 cm. $3.00. To the average chemist the most valuable part of this book will probably be the appendix,’ particularly the table of free energies. This table contains over five hundred critically evaluated standard free energies of formation. The appendix also includes summaries of Oxidation-Reduction Potentials, Equilibrium Constants, the Activity of Strong Electrolytes, and Entropy Values. The first chapter consists of a brief account of the general methods of determining half cell potentials from e.m.f. measurements, equilibrium studies, and thermal data. In the second chapter the indirect methods of obtaining half cell potentials from such quantities as ionization potentials, electron affinities, energies of hydration, and lattice energies are discussed. The other nineteen chapters are devoted to a critical discussion of the original experiments and computing methods upon which the The Oxidation
data given in the appendix are based. In general, the terminology and conventions used are those of Lewis and Randall. While this volume is in no sense a textbook, it is difficult to imagine a monograph on a chemical subject of wider appeal or of more general utility. A critical summary such as this book has long been needed; it will certainly facilitate the work of many chemists. Robert Livingston University
of
Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Growing Plants without Soil. D. R. Matlin. Chemical Publishing Co., Inc., New York City, 1939. 14 X 21.5 cm. 137 pp.
$2.00.
Education. J. D. Russell. U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C., 1938. x + 325 pp. 14.5 X 23.5 cm. $.40.
Vocational
