reviews ‘except for eylic eystems. Although a study guide with a complete ‘et of answers to asigned problems is available, the inclusion in the text of more answers te problems would benefit the student. Tn conclusion, this s a good text for use in the year sequence of ‘organic chemistry. is written on a level satisfactory for stadents ‘majoring in chemistry, biology, or related science. The text is als 2 good choice for use in presmedical oF other health related pro professional eourses in organic chomistrs Joe C. Greever Dota State Unversty Cleveland, MS 38733 Principles of Organic Synthesis, Third Edition ‘Richard 0. C. Norman and James M. Coxon. Chapman & Hal New York, NY, 1999. xv +811 pp Figs. and tables. 19.2 24.7 cm. $43.00 PB. Principles of Organic Synthesis is a two-part introduction to or- szanie synthesis for students who have completed the traditional Sophomore organic chemistry introductory course or its functional ‘equivalent. Part I cots the basie principles of structure and mecha rnism that form the basis for Part TI, Part TT is a well-onganized ‘tour of eynthotie methods divided along ines of partieular types of reactions ‘Part Tis a super summary of what one hopes the students got ‘rom earlier courses covering Thermodynamies, Structure, Kinet- ics Mechanism, and Stereochemistry, The authors have success fully highlighted the important factors in less than 200 pages. art IT covers a lot of new ground for most students, and they benefit fom the crisp writing that focuses on what i really useful, in synthesis. The emphasis ia on range and categorizing” At the fend of a chapter; e., tho Base catalyzed carbon-carbon bond ‘chapter the students will have en exposed to all of the principal ‘methods with come understanding of how they fit into the overall, Scheme of syntheses. On the ather hand, they will not have been ‘exposed to Feaction conditions, yields, or references It is a txt book in the classical sense and not a reference book "The third edition of Principles of Organic Synthesis incorpo- rates several significant changes from the earlier edition. ‘The ‘most important ofthese isthe inclusion of an excellent new chap= ‘ter on ofgano transition metal chemists; Other chapters in the book have been updated to reflect new synthetic methods, The Authors have pruned the Part I chapters to keep the overall txt fabout the same size as the previous edition. Additionally 2 change {in font makes the new edition much easier to ead. ‘The new edition includes very extensive cross referencing of re~ actions among the chapters. "This will serve a very valuable peda fo1. On the other hand, the deletion of chapter ending "Further Reading” suggestions in the new edition is unfortunate ‘The textbook is suitable for an upper-level undergraduate course. The treatment serves asa good bridge from the introdue- tory frst course to a graduate-level couree in synthesis. There is fan opportunity for students to sort out the interrelationships of ‘chemical reactions that is miesed in the typical rapid-fire fane- tional-group sophomore year course. Clearly, a graduate-level ‘curse in synthesis requires reaction conditions yields, and ltera- tare references, Shelton Bank State University of Now York at Albany ‘Albany, NY 12222 Titles of Interest ‘Organic Electronic Spectral Data, Volume 30, 1988 John P Phillis, Daas Bates, Henry Fever and B.S. Thyagara- Jan, Eators. Wy: New York, NY, 1994, mil + 829 pp. 16.1 = 23,7 om. $175.00. A182 Journal of Chemical Education ‘Safety in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Laboratory Andre Pieot and Philpoe Grenoullet. VCH: New York, NY 1996, xl 318 pp. Figs. and tables. 16.2 24.2 0m, ‘The authors ofthis book discuss the task of eresting a profes: sional environment in the laboratory and of formulating individ- tual and elective rules to void fires, explosions, taxi fumes, skin bburns, poisoning, and other hazards. Particular problems pre- sented by some substances are dealt with through illustrations of general techniques and many specie examples. In view ofthe fact that mismanagement of stacks and waste soften a cause of acei- dents, special attention is given to the treatment of wastes and ‘aged chemicals.