through 1960 and in some specific cases up t,hrough 1965. Important topics are the copper compounds of aminomono and polyearboxylio acid, oximes and nitroso series with yet another preparative compounds, and Shiff's bases. method, but this time the preparation of Because systematic cataloguing of neuthe pyrophoric anhydrous compound is tral ligands and ligands forming inner also described. Other improvements complexes is difficult, both an empirical upon earlier syntheses include the prepars, formula. and an alphabetid index is tions of K,[U(Cz0&1~5Ha0, black [CO(NHZ),NO]CI., and [ C O ~ . ( N O ? ) ~ ] X . included in thevolume. On the other hand, the syntheses of rare JANET B. VANDOREN gas compounds (XeF*, XeF,, and XeFe), College of Wooster which underscore the revolutionary inWoosler. Ohio organic discoveries of 1962-63, are new to the series. Unlike the previous volume, the i:\dex of contributors is not cumulative but cantains entries for Volume 8 only. For the first time, a notice to contribotors is The Structure of Polymers provided. The definition of a suitable synthesis as one "applicable to s. variety M . L. Miller, American Cyanamid Co., of related compounds" is exemplified by Stamford, Connecticut, Reinbold Pubthe larger proportion of syntheses of lishine CO~D..New York. 1966. xv series of compounds than has been the 7c4 pp.' bigs. and tables. 16 X ease in previous volumes. 23.5 cm. $27. In view of the need for accuracy in a volume of this type, it is strange that This book is the second in the series galley and page proofs are not submitted "Polymer Science and Engineering," sponto contributors for correction. Such a sored by the Society of Plastics Engineers. procedure should go a long way toward Its purpose is to make available to mature eliminating errors. (This reviewer found chemists a survey of the relation between a number in his own contributions.) the molecular structure of polymers and Another criticism concerns the nontheir properties which is bath broad and availability of reprints. The series is a deep. Broad enough that most of the journal, although admittedly in book areas of polymer application are covered form, but other similar series make proin a fundamental way, and deep enough vision for reprints. For this reason as that the book can be used as a starting well as the value of the procedures to point for original thought by the chemist practicing chemists and chemical eduin an area of interest to him. This is a cators, the publisher should seriously conl m ~ etask and Dr. Miller succeeds very sider providing this service. well. Aside from these minor criticisms, then, Starting with the known properties of Dr. Holtaclaw and his collaborators are polymer molecules and the methods by to he congratulated on their significant which these properties are determined the addition to a most useful series. In the baok leads to the larger scale physical past, the volumes have appeared a t properties, such as tensile properties, lengthy and irregular intervals. Volume drawing behavior, gas permeability, etc. 9, however, is scheduled for publication This approach gives a good understanding soon, and beginning with Volume 10 in of the factors behind the behavior of 1967, the series should appear annually. polymers in processing and use. Theory is given in each case to the depth which is B. KAUFFMAN necessary for relating experimental studies GEORGE California Slate College to molecular parameters. In general the Fresno coverage is u p b d a t e and as full as possible in a. boak of tbis size. Its use as a base of operations for further work is encouraged by the very large number of Gmelins Handbuch der Anorgonirchen literature references for each chapter, a Chemie. 8. Auflage, System Nummer large proportion of which are from tbe 60, Kuphr. Teil B, Lieferung 4, Koor1960's. As might be expected in a boak dinationr-Verbindungan mil Neutralen of eueh wide scope s. specialist may find und lnnerkomplexbildanden Liganden same paints passed over, e.g., the chapter on polyelectrolytes has no mention of Edited by E. H. E. Pietseh and the hydrophobic bonding. Such occasional Gmelin Institute. Verlag Chemie, absences do not detract from the over all GMBH, Weinheim/Bergstrasse, 1966. worth of the work. 534 pp. Figs. and tables. viii The point of view in the hook is that of 17.5 X 25.5 cm. $121. a physical chemist. The initial chapters This concluding volume on copper comconsider the uhvsical DroDerties of simule. . " . . linear macromolecules, as they are expounds deals chiefly with complex formation in solution, with special consideration pressed in dilute solutions. Then the comof complex formation constants. Howplicating effectsof suchfactorsas branches, crosslinks, chain isomerism, and comonoever, it also includes data from 1950 to 1965 on solid compounds which have not mers are introduced. The last few chapbeen included in previous sections on ters relate to hulk properties-crystallinity orientation, electrical behavior-and to copper. the special type-polyelectrolytes. The major portion of this volume is deSince this is a survey it has been made voted to copper compounds that have ligands which form inner complexes. The concise in order to include as many topics as possible. The result is a very tightly literature in tbis section is reviewed
BOOK REVIEWS
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A358 / Journal o f Chemical Education
packed, yet clearly written book. It will be very useful rts a. source baok for the mature chemist as well as for seniors and graduate students. An instructor who wishes to include some material on polymers in his physical chemistry course will also find it very helpful. TEOMASFER~NGTON W . R. G~aceCo. Chrksville, Maryhnd
Prelude to Chemistry: Alchemy
An Outline of
John Read. The M.I.T. Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1966. xxiv 328 pp. Figures. 13.5 X 20.5 em. Pspwbound. $2.95.
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This classic was reissued "as much to delight the reader with a taste for the occult as to inform the specialist in the history of science and religion." The book takes excerpts from the fascinating written records of the alchemist and explains their meaning in several disciplines. Many engravings and woodcuts are reproduced and the final section even includes an example of alchemic music. JINET B. VANDOREN College of Wooster Tlioosler, Ohio
The Convergent Century
Harold I . Sharlin, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Ames, Iowa.. Abelard-Schumann, New York, 229 pp. 14 X 21 N.Y. 1966. v cm. $6.50.
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The objective of tbis book is well stated by the sub-title: "The Unification of Science in the Nineteenth Century." Science here is taken to comprise only physics and chemistry and consequently, in the msin, only those topics are taken up that have a relation to these two sciences. The author assumes his readen have the usual fund of information and so includes only those commonplace facts that are vital to the discussion. In a most readable style, he gives an outline of the background of the men's home conditions, education, teaching experience, and the like. Flashes of humor add much to the c h m of the presentation. An immense amount of reading has obviously preceded the composition of the text. Each chapter is well documented and a general bibliography is provided for those who wish to read in greater depth. The book is aimed at the mature readers (graduate students, faculty, etc.). Typical chapter headings we: Eleotrieity in Motion; Electricity from Magnetism; Electric Force; Light Waves; Cathode Rays and Electron. On the chemical side there are: The True Elements of Bodies; Dynarnioal Chemistry; The Motion Within Gases; Karlsruhe. Among the chemists discussed are: Davy, Berthollet, and Pmust, Berzelius, J. Willard Gihhs; KekulP, Mendeleev, and
