VOLUME 33, NO. 1, JANUARY 1936 0
QUALITATIVE ORGANIC ANALYSIS AND SCIENTIFIC METHOD
A. McGookin, Senior Lecturer in Organic Chemistry, The University, Liverpool. Reinhold Publishing Corp., New York, 1955. vii 155 pp. 14.5 X 22 cm. $4.50
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INTEE preface, the author states that this book is designed as text for the instruction of beginners in the methods of qualitative oraanio analysis. The scheme which is followed is similar to that i n m o s t ~ m e r i c a ntexts upon the subject. Preliminary tests, consisting of an examination of easily observed properties such as melting point, boiling point, and behavior on ignition, are followed by solubility and classification tests. The disoussion of these tests is outlined briefly under the headings: "experiment," "observation," "inference." A discussion of the scientific method in two chapters entitled Observation and Inference is well worth a, careful study by both student and professor. This text differs from suoh texts as McElvain, Shriner and Fusan, Cheronis and Entriken in several important respects. I t contains neither tables of melting paints of derivatives, or "identification compounds," nor procedures for the preparation of derivatives. The author expects the student to obtain these data from the literature, but he provides no references. In addition, there are no problems or exercises included in the text. As a result of these omissions, this text may supplement but will not replace those which are now used. JOHN D. REINHEIMER
Comrae or WOOSTEP. Woomm, O a m
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THEORETICAL PRINCIPLES OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY. VOLUME I
Wolter Hiickel, Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Tiihingen University. Translated by F.H. Rathmann, University of Omaha. Elsevier Publishing Company, Houston, 1955. xi 904 pp. 8 tables. 16 X 25 cm. $15.
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THE aoid-tongued Greek philosopher Heraclitus observed: ''Much learning does not teach understanding; else it would have taught Hesiod and Pythagarss." This melancholy thought frequently obtrudes itself an the reluotsnt minds of chemistry teachers with respect to students. In this volume Professor Hiickel m&es a heroic attempt to deal with those features of organic chemistry which facilitate the understmding of the subject as opposed to the mere learning of the nomenclature, synthesis, and reactions of organic compounds. This penetrating study will merit the gratitude and the generous applause of both students and teachers. Unlike many authors in this field, Professor Hiickel's presentsLion is largely deductive in ehm~rsoter. The resulting critical analysis of older concepts, together with the broad experimental hctsis on which they were formulated, makes this work partioularly easy for students to follow. This volume is divided into two parts: Book I and Book 11. Book I consists of four chapters. Chapter I ( 4 4 pp.) opens with a survey of some of the earlier theories and proceeds to the modern concepts of valence and the problem of appropriate representation of bonds by symbols. Chapter I1 (86 pp.) is an excellent study of the problems of optical and geometrical isomerism, the theories of strain, and the consequences which flow from the geometrical shapes of molecules when they undergo reactions. c&ter 111 (39 pp.) deals with oxonium compounds, organio molecular comoounds. and oamolex addition oroduets. The "chelat,es." qninhydrones, ' and cokple.res with nitro compounds, choliic acids, and urea are adequately treated. Chapter IV (68 pp.) is a, thoreughgoing survey of abnormal valences of constituent elements. The major portion of this chapter is devoted to free radivnl.i uf dircrw lyl,ee, their prrp:~r>stion,pn,prrtic.r, rmctions, :ml ~igni1iv.111~~ 1tn. th~oreti~31 urg:u.iv vlwrni*tr\.. B o d 11 oi this rdunie considvrr the limit3 181 the custum:rr\. s?mbolisrn of orgsnochemicd sji8tenX&X and is divided in& srx chapters. The first, Chapter V (15.3 pp.), is a brilliant review
of the many facets of tautomerism. The author sets forth the relationship between protot:opism and elect~omerioeffect in these systems and discusses the behavior and the theory of the salts of tsutomeric compounds. The concluding psrt deals with the ester-condensation type of reaction. Chapter VI (104 pp.) ip a thoroughgoing study of intramolecular rearrangements. These include: allylic rearrangements, migration of halogens, pinacols, bendic acid, Hofmann, Curtius, Lossen, Beckmann, and quinol rearrangements. Chapter VII (73 pp.) deals with steric rearrangements and the Walden inversion. Chapter VIII (67 pp.) is a comprehensive review of the reactions of unsaturated compounds. Chapter IX (63 pp.) is a consideration of the many theoretical problems which arise in the chemistry of aromatio compounds. The final chapter (118 pp.) sets forth the relations between reaction kinetics and the mechnaisms of organic reactions. The English translation of this classic German text will materially reduce the burdens of the young enthusiasts who are eonfronted with the twofold problem of learning chemistry and the German language simultaneously. G . A. RICHTER T"E Rm. I x s ~ r ~ m a ; HOUSTON, Tax*.
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PRACTICAL LABORATORY MANUAL FOR BEGINNERS
CHEMISTRY:
A
Horace G. Deming, Research Associate, Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 209 pp. 89 figs. 22 X 28 cm. Paper bound. 1955. xi $3.50.
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SINCEthe first chemistry laboratory, manuals have been prepared to "accompany the textbook." The textbook has always been written first and, in the course, given a corresponding priority over the manual. Far "Practical Laboratory Chemistr,~" the companion text is not specified. Here the litboratory part of the course is brought oloser to equality with its partner. The contents artre classified under: Preliminary (How to Do I t ) ; Laws and Principles; and Some Important Nan-metals. Metals receive no attention aside from their ionic forms. When the subtitles are scanned, additions to traditional offerings are found, e. g., Chromatography, Corrosion, and Semimicro Techniques. However, there are no exercises on nucleonics. Especial emphasis is given to the teaching of correct technique. The imolicetion seems to be that the student will learn correct techniqks before he does any serious experiments in chemistry. This section is serviced by a. generous offering of well-labeled line drawings. Half the book is 'devoted to Laws and Principles. There is no break with tradition here, and laws and principles are usually introduced by: "We shall illustrate this law." Even in this section technique is primary. Users with an eye an the second year of the chemistry sequence will he happy to find stress on: the metric system measurements, precision weighing, "thinking in moles," "common sense in numbers," and many numerical exercises. The tesoher is not forgotten. The preface, introductions to the instructor and to the student, a page of general instructions, four two-page sets of review exercises, nine appendices, and even a twwpage, double-column index indicate the author's concern for the teacher's contribution to the course. There are some questions likely to occur to the teacher whose beginners are also to be "enders" with this course: Will this lahoratory work impress the student a8 "a pleasant opportunity"? This appears to he an st,t,rnct,ivetraining program, hut is not "training" often impatient with delay for understanding? Sometimes technicians are skilled without being educated. Even so, this hook warrants the attention of teachers of limbyear college chemistry. I t has may original features that mark it as a definite contribution to the teaching resources for the Iahoratory psrt of the course. B. CLIFFORD HENDRICKS LONGVIEW.WASHINGTON
