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journals has increased and the job cannot be delegated or some of which are already dealt with by Dr. Bergmann in replaced b y reliance on abstracts. Chemists should have his last chapter. I n the reviewers opinion the unity and compactness of the book would have been improved if the this book in order to become thoroughly acquainted with first chapter of the “Appendix” were integrated with the sources of information and methods of searching. last chapter of Bergmann in the same manner in which MarTHECHEMICALLIBRARY amplified the first five chapters of the original work. F. LOWELLTAYLOR quez THEDOW CHEMICALCOMPANY The second chapter of t h e “Appendix” is entitled “Isotopes MIDLAND,MICHIGAN in Organic Reactions” and is a n extremely useful and up to date review of the uses of isotopes in the study of organic compounds. Included in this review are numerous isotope Isomerism0 E Isomerizacion d e 10s Compuestos Organicos. effects studied in recent years, nuclear transformations caused BY ERNSTD. BERGMANN, Director del Instituto de by irradiation of organic compounds, and the use of isotopes Ciencias Weizmann. Transposiciones Moleculares Y in the elucidation of the mechanisms of organic reactions. Combinaciones Organicas Con Isotopos. BY ANIBALR. This last chapter is without doubt the most significant conMARQUEZ, Profesor titular de Quimica OrgBnica, Universi- tribution which Dr. Marquez makes to the book under disdad Nacional de la Plata-Universidad Tecnolbgica cussion. Sacional Facultad Regional de Buenos Aires, Colegio T h e book is well presented except for the unfortunate use Militar de la Nacibn, Director de Indoquimica S.A., ex- of poor printing ink which causes several pages to be blurred. Director de Galeno Quimica, Ind. Quim. Arg. Yatay, The scarcity of modern chemistry texts in the Spanish Fea. Sacional de Productos Quimicos de la Nacibn, etc. language makes the appearance of this book especially noteLibrcria Hachette, Buenos Aires, Argentina, South worthy. It will have a stimulating effect on the much America. 1956. xiii 288 pp. 16 X 23.5 cm. Price needed development of modern organic chemistry in Latin rn$ii. arg. 110.--. America. Also, it may help many . h e r i c a n chemists to This book is a translation and enlarged edition of the orig- learn chemical Spanish, a language of increasing importance in view of the growing investments of U. S. chemical industry inal work “Isomerism and Isomerization of Organic Compounds” (Interscience Pub. Inc., New York, N. Y., 1948) below the Rio Grande. and the reviewer may thus consider the contributions made UNIVERSIDAD DE ORIENTE first by Dr. E. D. Bergmann and then by Dr. A. R . H. HARRYSZMANT SANTIAGO DE CUBA,CUBA Marquez. The original work of Bergmann consists of six chapters in The Defect Solid State. BY T. J. GRAY,D . P . DETWILER, which the following topics are discussed: the phenomenon D. E. RASE,W. G. LAWRENCE, R. R. WEST AND T. J. of resonance in organic molecules; cis-tram isomerism and JENNINGS, State University of New York, College of cis-trans isomerization; isomerization of olefinic structures; at Alfred University. Interscience Publishers, Ceramics mechanism of substitution reactions, racemization and Inc., 250 Fifth Avenue, New York 1, N. Y. 1957. vii Walden inversion; isomerization of paraffins and related 511 pp. 16.5 X 23.5 cm. Price, $11.00. phenomena; mechanisms of intramolecular rearrangements. The discussion of the above-mentioned topics is stimulating This work attempts t o explain phenomena associated because it is based on numerous personal observations, and with reactions in the solid state such as sintering, catalyses i t includes many literature references and suggestions for and corrosion processes in terms of the defect nature of future investigations. The chapter on resonance does not solids. T h e presentation of the material associated with pretend to be a profound physico-chemical treatment but these topics is detailed enough to make the book worthwhile rather is descriptive in nature. It is unfortunate t h a t the for those interested in this specialized field. The book author retains several structural formulas with pentavalent cannot be read, however, as a general exposition on the denitrogen atoms on pp. 27-29,47,49 and 147. I n the second fect nature of solids. The chapters on the general properchapter the discussions of allenic systems and of thermoties of solids, such as semi-conductivity, ionic conductivity chromism are noteworthy. The heading of the third chap- and magnetic properties are too brief and the material in ter is somewhat misleading since here the author cites a them has been presented in a more satisfactory mariner series of reactions of olefinic substances in the course of which elsewhere. the initial, classical double bonds become dislocated. rlside INSTITUTE OF OPTICS from 1,4-addition reactions t o dienes and the Diels-Alder K. TEEGARDEN UNIVERSITY O F ROCHESTER reaction, the author employs a number of examples which ROCHESTER, NEW YORK are seldom encountered in other texts. The chapter dealing with the mechanism of substitution reactions, racemization and Walden inversion is not as stimulating as the preceding Vapour P h a s e Chromatography. Proceedings of the chapters. This is probably so because i t deals descriptively Symposium Sponsored by the Hydrocarbon Research with a subject which has received so much emphasis in most Group of the Institute of Petroleum held at the Institution of the modern textbooks of organic theory. Also, the of Electrical Engineers, London, on 30th May-1st June, arguments cited on p. 94 to explain the two different de1956. Edited by D. H. DESTY. Assisted by C. L. A. hydration products of diphenic acid are not convincing. Harbourn. Academic Press, Inc., 111 Fifth Avenue, The fifth chapter deals mainly with reactions of alkanes and New York 3, N. Y. 1957. xv 436 pp. 16 X 25.5 alkenes studied by Ipatieff and his successors, although a cm. Price, $12.00. few reactions involving free radicals also are mentioned. This volume is a collection of the 36 papers presented a t The last chapter reviews a number of intramolecular rethe Symposium on Gas Chromatography held in London arrangements some of which, such as the Claisen rearrangeon May 30th and June l s t , 1956, together with the disment of allyl aryl ethers, t h e pinacal-pinacolone rearrangement, and the rearrangement of 1,2-aminoalcohols in the cussion by the participants at the symposium, and the presence of nitrous acid, have been subject to careful studies recommendations on nomenclature proposed by a committee since the publication of the original text. of scientists prominent in this field. More than half of the Dr. Marquez has supplemented the descriptive text of papers are from England, but contributions from workers of Dr. Bergmann with lengthy footnotes in which he presents seven other nations testify t o the universal and growing the physical aspects of atomic and molecular structure as interest in gas chromatography. well as summaries of more recent studies. Noteworthy A wide range of subjects is covered by the articles preamong the latter are the comments concerning the chemistry sented. Dr. Martin’s introductory paper outlines the diof cyclooctatctraene, ferrocene, triphenylmethyl radicals, rections for future developments of the field. The succeeding t h e activation energies of trans-cis isomerizations, the reacfour papers deal with the factors determining the separation tion of osmic :tcitl with aromatic hydrocarbons, the reactions of materials by gas chromatography. Eight papers are of peroxides, as wcll as the little kuown studies of Marquez concerued primarily with the properties of various types of ant1 students concerned with the reactions of organic halides detectors, including Scott’s flame detector, the Martin gas with sodium arsenite. Dr. Marquez also contributes to the density balance, and the beta ray detector. Other topics original bibliography by citing numerous recent literature considered in various contributions are apparatus for high references. Finally, Dr. Marquez has added a n ample, 100 temperature chromatography, large scale and continuous pages long “Appendix” which consists of two chapters. operation, and for the use of programmed column heating. I n the first of these he discusses molecular rearrangements T h e analysis of specific mixtures, descriptions of new coluni
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materials, etc., are the subjects of the remainder of the papers. T h e book suffers from the lack of continuity and the variation in style common t o works of its kind, b u t these minor faults are more t h a n compensated for by the generally high quality of thematerial. T h e diversity of topics covered should make i t of interest not only t o people active in research on gas chromatography, b u t also to those for whom this technique is chiefly a valuable new analytical method. Most of t h e articles give sufficient experimental detail t o enable the reader who wishes t o build his own apparatus to select the features most desirable for his purpose. -411 readers should benefit from a study of the theoretical papers. The report of t h e lively and informative discussion a t the symposium adds t o the value of the book. T h e recommendations of t h e committee on nomenclature seem reasonable; they would perhaps carry more weight had the editor, himself a member of the committee, chosen the title of t h e book in accordance with them. The contributors, the editor and the publishers are t o be congratulated for the speed with which they have made this useful work available.
built institute, lie still lacks a complete library. I n the revision he was forced t o depend largely upon reprints sent b y authors and upon Chemical Abstracts. I n spite of these formidable obstacles, the text has been thoroughly modernized and augmented by approximately 120 pages. Eightythree pages of well documented tables of sugars and sugar derivatives have been collected at the end of t h e book. T h e indeses have been about doubled in size from the first edition. The section on the biochemistry of the sugars has been revised completely and new sections on chromatographic separations, isotopic labeling and antibiotics have been added. Cross references are frequent and arc well selected. Coverage in the rapidly expanding field of oligosaccharide and polysaccharide structure lags, in part, a littlc behind the true research front. T h a t of the starches is well delineated. T h e sections on the seaweed polysaccharides, stachyose and the tissue polysaccharides, stand in need of attention. This undoubtedly reflects in part the “behindness” of Chemical Abstracts in the period following the end of World War 11. Strange omissions in the reference book listing are the ilmerican monographs on cellulose and starch: those of Ott (two editions), of Kerr (two editions), and of DEPARTMESTO F CHEMISTRS Wise. I n spite of these few shortcomings, not unexpected UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER KVRTF. \VISSBRUS in view of the difficulties presented t o the authors in their ROCHESTER 20, NEW YORK revisionary efforts, this text stands as the best introductory monograph in its field and probably will maintain this position for some time to come. Chemie der Zucker und Polysaccharide. Second Edition. DEPARTMENT O F CHEMISTRY MICHEEL,Dr. Phil., 0 . Professor der Chemie an By FRITZ UNIVERSITY hl. L WOLPROM der Universitat Miinster (n’estfalen) and ALMUTH THEOHIO STATE COLUMBUS 10, OHIO KLEMER,Dr. rer. nat., Wissenschaftliche Assistentin am Organisch-chemischen Institut der Universitat Munster (Westfalen). Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft, Geest and Portig K.-G., Sternwartenstrasse 8, Leipzig C 1, Electrochemistry. Principles and Applications. Bs Germany. 1956. xix 512 pp. 16 X 23 cm. Price, EDMUNDC. POTTER,B.Sc., Ph.D., F.R.I.C., D.I.C., Re36.-DM. search Branch, Central Electricity Authority for England and Wales. The Macmillan Company, 60 Fifth Avenue, The first edition of Fritz Mcheel’s “Chemie der Zucker S e w York 11, New York. 1957. xii 418 pp. 16 X 25.5 und Polysaccharide” appeared in 1939 and was a t the time, cm. Price $10.00. easily the best introductory monograph for this field. English translation, by R. C. Hockett, was published in this I n recent years relatively few texts on electrochemistry country in 1948. There now appears a second revised and have been published. Potter’s new book represents one of augmented edition in the compilation of which Professor the first to present both basic and applied aspects of elecMicheel has been assisted by Frl. Dr. Almuth Klemer. T h e trochemistry in a concise, well integrated fashion in a. single volume. t e s t is, nevertheless, essentially singly authored and acPrimary emphasis is placed on electrode processes in tlie cordingly does not suffer froin the repetitions and contradictions characteristic of multiply authored monographs. The early chapters which discuss the theoretical aspects of elecbook does not profess t o be complete b u t the extent of its trochemistry. Reversible electrode systems are treated on a thermodynamic basis as well as in ternis of experimental ascoverage is astounding and the essential points in the chemist r y and biochemistry of the monosaccharides, oligosacpects. ;1description of the factors contributing to the irrecharides and polysaccharides are well selected and thoroughly versibility of various electrode processes is presented with covered. Emphasis is placed upon the organic structural particular attention on hydrogen overvoltage as is traditional among electrochemists. A separate chapter is used chemistry involved. The writing and editing is thorough for the discussion of the electrical double layer and electroand is free of those obvious errors, gross omissions, and misinterpretations of published work, which have been so kinetic phenomena. The treatment of electrolytes is brief characteristic of most of the carbohydrate monographs apand hardly more detailed than is standard undergraduate pearing in recent years in English. T h e German language texts on physical chemistry. Xewcomers to the field of electrochemistry as well as chemical analysts will find the conesposition is simple and direct and is highly recommended cise chapters on electrochemical measurements particularly for students preparing for the American university Gerinan useful. The applied phases of electroclieniistrp which are reading examinations. Professor Micheel, a student of K u r t Hcss and a forincr considered by Potter include corrosion inechanisnx and preassociate of Xdolf Windaus, the latter being the one out- vention, electrodeposition, batteries, and industrial elcctrolysis. standing student of Heinrich Kiliani, writes in the classical Throughout this book, the sign convetitiuns for clcctrodc German tradition and is no votary of modern mechanistic potentials advocated by the International Union of Pure and interpretations of organic reactions. The troublesome problems of ring conformation are never mentioned. \\‘hat is Applied Chemistry are employed in contrast to the system well grounded in established fact, however, is all there. The generally iu use in most Xmerican tests and publications of nomenclature employed is t h a t of Emil Fischer. The ex- the American Chemical Society. The author discusses the problem of sign conventions, however, in a simple but eftensive changes and modernizations of this nomenclature fective fashion; hence, the student who is accustomed t o the which have been developed by the joint efforts of the Xnieriso-called :\merican system is not likely to be confused. can and British chemists, has not been translated into the This text is conspicuous for its excellent organization and German idiom by the present authors. T h e one cuticession concise presentatiou. The many illustrations and tables arc is the adoption of the Roman small capital letter for tlie coilvery effective. Thc t e s t contains a number of problerri5 figurational symbol. While the language barrier is :L factor which arc coinplctely worked and iiitegrated within tile here, some better common ground would he desirable. chapters. The bibliography at the end of the book lists other Professor Micheel favors the Fischer projection forinula for the depiction of sugar structures. From this he proceeds tests and publications for collateral reading. So ipecific references are given for the work or data presented i n this occasionally to a n “eigentiimlich” orientation of the Haworth book . perspective formula which he is later forced t o change to the Many of the contemporary explanations for various elecaccepted orientation when he discusses oligosaccharide anti trochemical phcnomena are far from wcll established ant1 iii polysaccharide structures. This revision was effected uiidcr great clitficulties. Tlie :i state of flux. As a result, authors of textbooks on electroinstitute of Professor ,Micheel was demolislicd by thc a c r i d chemistry must exercise more than the usual care to indicatc bombing of World War I1 and although he now has a newly fully the status of the various proposed explanations. Un-
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