Chemistry of Carbon," "Coordination Compounds," and "Alloys: Intermetallic and Related Compounds," some, hut not all of which are found in other well-known texts. The treatment is what might he called conventional-modern with no radical departures in the method of presentation, hut "rather a conformity to the ideas of outstanding teachers of chemistry and to recommendations given in THIS JOURNAL.Throughout the book a "balance is struck between the historical, descriptive, theoretical. statistical. illustrative. and industrial Darts of the texts." ,fhe forty-sekn chap1er.m arraugcd so ;hat fourteen of them may he omitted wit h o loss ~ in cunttnurry of treatment. Several of the chapters a w l some section, uf other chapter$ have been written by colleagues of the authors. This book is not comparable with any standard text in elementary chemistry. I t contains most of the iuformation in Latimer and Hildebrand's "Reference Book of Inorganic Chemistry" plus a wealth of descriptive matter available between the covers of no other single volume. If i t is slightly less scholarly than Schlesinger's "General Chemistry" i t is vastly more complete and definitely more teachable. The only texts in English with which this hook may he compared are Partington's "Texthook of Inorganic Chemistry" and Mellor's "Modern Inorganic Chemistry." Thereviewer hasno hesitation in saying that it is a better book than either of these. I t is better in being more thorough, more accurate, and more modern. To say that the book is up to date is to understate the case. This is a text in which coordinate covalence is introduced on page 52, and the concept of resonance on page 327. I t is a text in which the 3-electron hond (p. 77). ortho and para hydrogen (p.117), dipole moments (p. 143). the hydrogen hond (p. 329). activity coefficients (p. 354). synthetic resin ion-exchangers (p. 857), and the Hume-Rathay rule (pp. 1115-1116) all have their places. I t is a text in which the electron microscope orecedes the electron method of halancine oxidation-reduction rquatiuns. Iris to theauthors'grcatcralit thnt thrir work I,earz. in spite of its SCOIW, evidence of thcir long exprrirm,e in clear, orderly prcsentntion before classes. The hook hears the mark of the practical educator. That such a book should contain controversial questions of fact and of methods of presentation is only natural. Of these there are many, hut of real errors there are exceedingly few. Occasionally, the authors lead themselves into a pitfall, as, for instance, on page 11 where i t is stated, "But as far as ordinary chemical changes are concerned, elements m y be considered as substances which cannot be resolved into simplerformr of matter." What is this shadowy distinction between chemical changes which are ordinary and those which are extraordinary? Sometimes there is a rather forced effort t o humanize the great scientists. On page 43 Aston is described as "an excellent amateur performer on the cello." On page 60 there is given a curiously old-fashioned version of the MendelCeff periodic table, and later on page 572 i t is implied that the MendelCeff table is no longer studied. But this reviewer, with all respect to same of his fellow associate editors of THISJOURNAL, knows a t least four leading universities where the MendelCeff type of table is not only esteemed, hut used in preference to all other types. On page 61 it is stated that atomic volumes are plotted against atomic weights in Figure 19. Actually, it is the atomic numbers which are used, and correctly so. Formulas and equations are discussed in Chapter 5, although they are used fairly freely in earlier chapters. Proof of Avogadro's law (p. 199) is rather obscure, and is based on the fact that the kinetic energies of the molmles of gases are the same a t the same temperature and pressure. But the proof of this proposition is not given until later On page 203 there is a reference to a text. "General Chemistry," by Deuing-Wiley (sic). This author's name may have a familiar sound, hut i t is a little difficult to place him. There is a rather frequent use by Professors Sneed and Maynard of the word "heavy," where "dense" is meant. The reference to a base whose formula contains more than one hydroxide radical as polyprotic (p. 333) is an item of nomenclature which it is to he hoped will not become general. ~
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Same of the chapters which were written by the authors' colleagues are rather difficult; this is particularly true of some of those on ionization. Chapter 34 on coordination compounds forms an excellent introduction to that topic, but it too is rather difficult for heginners. On the other hand, chapters such as 36 on radioactivity and the section on iron by Prof. Edward W. Davis are astonishingly interesting and complete. Chapter 32 on colloids is a little sketchy, and 38 on electrochemistry is somewhat overcondensed. Throughout the whole hook the sections on major industrial processes are particularly thorough. There are thirty-five pages on organic chemistry, ranging from simple hydrocarbons through phytol and progesterone to the polysaccharides. The wisdom of including this chapter may he questioned. Typographical errors are very rare. On page 1078 Cn is given. where CN is meant. At several points, including the author index, Ephraim is misspelled. On page 954 most authors would have iucluHed lanthanum as a memher of the rare earth group. But the reviewer is compelled to admit that the only serious error he can fihd in the whole hook is the statement on page 955 that samarium salts arepink when they are, of course, yellow. Questions and problems of considerable variety are given a t the end of each chapter. Answers are given for many of the prohlems. Some of the problems are somewhat more advanced than those commonly found in books for beginners. The fallowing are a few examples: P. 699. No. 5. D3 the chemical properties of phytol and vitamin A show any similarities? If so, why? P. 833, No. 7. How are cis and tram isomers differentiated by the use of a bifunctional chelating group? P. 979, No. 12. Why are the compounds CCI., SFs, and OsF, not readily hydrolyzed? P. 1092, No. 21. 0 2 the basis of the oxidation-reduction potentials for the equilibria co++ - l r z 3 co+++ and [Co(CN)sl'1. [Co(CN);I' show why Co with an oxidation number of +3 is more stable in the complex than in the simple cation.
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At Northwestern we generally leave such questions for our sophomores and juniors. Perhaps the Minnesota freshmen are made of sterner stuff, their football teams often are. The hook is well printed and well hound. The price is moderate. Authors and publishers alike are to be congratulated. Whether the gentle reader will wish to use such a weighty (1.640 kilograms) opus for his own classes is, of course, for him to rlecirle
THE STUDY o r THE PHYSIUL WOXLD. Nicholns D. Cheronis, James B. Parsons, Conrad E. Ronncbcrg, Chicago City Colleges. Houghton Mifilin Company, New York, 1942. vi 884 pp. 467figs. 15 X 24 cm. $3.85. There are certain things about "The Study of the Physical World" which make i t an outstanding book of its type. I t takes up its chosen subject with logical thoroughness and considerable enthusiasm. The authors set for themselves the goal of an integrated volume in which the scientific method is emphasized, in which a number of important principles are developed, in which numerous applications are made t o the more common affairs of everyday l i f e a n d they have succeeded surprisingly well. They have hewn to their line, letting the subjects of astronomy, geology, chemistry, and physics fall where they may. If they have shown any weakness, it is the weakness common to authors who love their subject too well; if the hook errs, i t is in the direction of too much, not too little. There is too much material for the average freshman to get and hold. For the expert teacher this is no haudicap-he will bridge, emphasize, condense, and extend t o fit his case. The saving grace is the careful integration of the wealth of material with the development of great general principles. I t is refreshing t o see a survey book which actually introduces,
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p r e s e n t s a n d usesmathematics unashamedly and without a "by your leave" apology to the student. Many excellent line drawings enliven the text and simplify the explanations. Study exercises are taken rather seriously and can actually he used as a part of the course. Very few typographical mistakes were noted and there were of minor nature. I n Figure 234, page 367, 0°F. shown on the Kelvin scale should he O'K.: on oaee . - 448 the electronic fromula for nitrogen is mcorrcct One might be inrhned to regard certain rapla~ntionras somewhat inconsistent. I'ur example, on page 422 the equation Mg T U-NgO is Riven irnmnliately following the statement that "elements such as oxygen . . have two atoms in each molecule and therefore their molecular symbols are writCO*. One ten 01, . . " Then fallows the equation C +OS might also be inclined t o criticize the literal interpretation of the ionization of HCl shown in Figure 305. Having thus done one's duty by finding a few unimportant mistakes and by disagreeing with one or mare statements, one can return to the major thesis that this is an excellent hwk, a book which deserves a far better fate than most survey books are likely t o suffer during these war years of intensive, concentrated training in a very few things. SIDNEY1. FRENCH ~
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ELEMENTARY PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY.Hugh S. Taylor, David B . Jones Professor of Physical Chemistry. Princeton Universitv. *. and H. Austin Tavlor.. Professor of Phvsical Chemistrv. -. New York University. Third Edition. D. Van Nostrand Co., Inc.. New York, 1942. xi 551 pp. 127 figs. and 111 tables. 14 X 22 cm. $3.75. The third edition of this well-known text has an arrangement of subjects very similar t o the second edition, save that the discussion of kinetics has been moved t o the latter part of the book. The content has heen changed markedly. Although there are fewer pages, there is much more material due to the use of smaller type, spacings, and margins. The authors have endeavored to incorporate as much as possible of the modern methods of approach to chemical problems. This has necessitated abbreviating or even omitting some important matters. Thus the discussion of nuclear chemistry has been considerably expanded, and a lengthy discussion of the statistical basis of the second law. including partition functions, has been added. T o offset this, the discussion of ionic equilibria had to be markedly abbreviated, especially as relating t o indicators and hydrolysis. The discussion of phase equilibria has likewise been shortened. but it still is excellent. Other sections worthy of especial commendation are the atomic concept of matter and energy, the heat capacity of gases, films and monolayers, liquids, and the very fine discussion of kinetics. The authors have also included a brief discussion of the structure of fibers. However the followine tooics have been ienared: refractivitv. - imoartant . ,. optical activity, and aharlnion spectra as dues to molecular structure, and thc usc of various electrodes to measure hgdrion activity. Indexing and subdivision of topics are very gwd. There are sufficient literature references and a selection of problems a t the end of each chapter. However, no answers are furnished. Three appendices-derivations of Maxwell's distribution equation, of Planck's equation for the energy of a linear vibrator, and the Debye-Hkkel limiting law-nhance the value of this hwk. The use of the term "Elementary" in the title is debatable. The h w k is entirely suitable for senior or first-year graduate courses. To use i t the student should have not only the usual background in chemistry hut also a reasonable preparation in physics and mathematics. With the advisability of such prerequisites for physical chemistry the reviewer is in complete agreement. Whether the treatment approximates the ideal course in physical chemistry is a matter of individual opinion. The reviewer himself feels that certain advanced subjects have
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been overemphasized a t the expense of some equally important and possibly more fundamental subjects. However this unbalance, if it really exists, is far Less thanin earlier editions. In conclusion, this b w k merits the careful scrutiny of every teacher of the subject. I t is well written, stimulating, packed full of g w d things, and quite suited to practically any thoroughgoing course in physical chemistry. MALCOLM M. HmrNG UN1"~ltSrTY OR MARYLAND
COLLBGB PARK.M*BYLIND
ORGANICCm+arsm, AN ADVANCED TBEATISE. Editorial Board, Henry Gilman, Editor-in-Chief, Roger Adams, Homer Adkins, Hans T . Clarke, Carl S. Maruel, and Frank C. Whitmore; and 25 Contributors other than the Members of the Board. Volumes I and 11. Second Edition. John Wiley & Sans, Inc., New York, 1943. ix 1077 lxvii pp. in Vol. I. and ix 1079 to 1983 lxvii pp. in Vol. 11. 15 X 23 em. $7.50 per vol. "This second edition, which represents a significant expansion of the first, contains twenty-six chapters, of which the following eight are new: thereactions of aliphatic hydrocarbons; synthetic polymers; catalytic hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis; organic sulfur compounds; aliphatic fluorides; the chemistry of the porphyrins; chlorophyll; and the redistribution reaction. All the chanters carried over from the first edition have heen revised. I n some chapters the literature has been reviewed up to September, 1942." The new chapters, like the earlier ones, are well written by experienced authors, and they add much to the value of this important treatise. Thenew chapterscousist of ahout4W pages, and this number adds about ane-fourth t o the farmer size. The subjects are carefully chosen, the material is well presented. and altoeether the work is modern and authoritative. With a background of elementary organic chemistry, a student of these volumes can gain an excellent knowledge of modern organic chemistry. As in the first edition, the work is very well indexed, and the complete index is handily printed in each volume. References to the literature are abundant and are found on practically every page. Also, helpful cross references are numerous throughout the text. I n addition, a section of "General References," which is given a t the end of each chapter, includes mention of same of the more important review articles and bwks a s a guide to collateral reading. The chapters contain a great many structural formulas which help so much to give a full and proper understanding of organic cheinistry. The typography and binding are excellent. The reviewer in his reading found not a single typographical error.
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INTRODUCTION TO ELECTROCHEMISTRY. Samuel Glasslone, Professor of Chemistry, University of Oklahoma. D. Van Nostrand Company, Inc., New York, 1942. vii 557 pp. 135 figs. 15 X 23 cm. $5.00. This book presents the fundamentals of electrochemistry from the standpoint of modern concepts of activity, interionic attraction, proton transfer of acids and bases, and the reaction rate nature of electrode phenomena. Unlike the author's earlier and more comprehensive treatise, "The Electrochemistry of Solutions," the present hook should serve a s a relatively elementary text rather than as a reference work. The book includes an elementary presentation of electrolytic conductance, transference, electrochemical thermodynamics. electrode processes, and electrokinetic phenomena. At the end of each chapter problems are included which illustrate the material discussed. These are frequently based on data from the recent scientific literature. Although the author avoids any historic approach to the subject and includes no detailed references to the scientific literature, a sufficient number of references
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