Each ~ n h,).~ .tt title pa:" ruhich list< rhc organic chemistry.
It is organized around the
book reviews d unit a w r l > t . ~ wik\a.. ~ u p w ~ & w l u pi n~ the traditional functional group approach that, knowledge assumed. In most cases the as- in the words of the authors, "provides a sumed previous knowledge is reasonable, hut framework for learning." The first two chapter relevant. The chapter is then divided there are a few exceptions. For example, the chapters include a review of atoms; mole- into sections, each section treating an objec- first unit on atoms and the mole assumes fa- cules, orbitals, and honding. In Chapter 3, tive outlined a t the beginning of the chapter. miliarity with molarity. A number of self- nomenclature of the major classes of organic Each ohiective is treated seoaratelv. There is tests are fnund in each unit with reasonable, compounds is introduced and is followed by but searchine auestions. About half the alkanes. Chapter 4 is a discussion on steren- chemistry. Alkyl halides and substitution and elimination reactions are covered in Chapter single objective, there is an exercise, con- on why responses are right or wrong. 5. Mechanisms and energy profiles are first sisting of one or two questions, designed to Only the simplest of mathematics is re- presented in connection with the discussion test thestudent on his masteryof thissectinn, quired. Simple stoichiometry, Hess's Law of S .. w 1.. 8 ~. 2. .E l and E2 tvoe . , reactions. Aleo- thereby allowing the student toaccess his or problems, electrochemical cell potentials, and holq, r t l w r . and rolatcn r~.tupt.jndi hcgdn her own progress. bond energies comprise almost all the nu- \\it11 ('h.>pt~r-. ('h?pl+r R i q n I I I I U C A I mt.on Questions appear at the end of each chap- merical problems in the text. Little to no at- infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic ter. These are thought-provoking hut should tention is paid to significant figures. All nu- resonance. Beginning with Chapter 9 there is he answered easily if the student has assimi- merical examples and answers to problems a series of chapters based on functionality lated the material presented. They seem to were found tn be accurate. However, answers and includes unsaturated compounds, am- cover adequately all the concepts discussed. to some conceptual questions are question- maticity, aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic Answers are pmvided for all questions. able, and a m e t i m e s misleading. I t can he acids, acid derivatives of carboxylic acids, Marginal notes are pmvided to indicate the argued, though, that the answersare suitable endates and carbanions, amines and poly- subject of most chapters and to provide an for students for whom the book is written. cyclic and heterocyclic aromatics. Chapters easv reference. Diaerams are used freauentlv T h e textual material also contains some 17, 18, and 19 are also topical covering car- misleading statements, mast of which could hahydrates, amino acids and proteins, and be corrected by minor wording changes. A lipids and related natural materials. The final considerably. more serious problem is the author's asking chapter provides a brief introduction to other This is a very readable text. I t proceeds students tc, calculate the potential of the kinds of spectruscopy and light associated very logically and does not attempt to aver- electrochemical cell, K/K+(.,,lMgZ+(.,~lMg. phenomena not covered earlier. whelm the reader. T h e treatment relies upon Only one chemical equation was detected to Althoueh ir and nmr is not covered until mathematics as little as possible. It appears be in error, but it should not hinder stu- to this reviewer that this is a "student's" dents. textbook and one that he or she will enjoy In the introductory remarks, the author using. At the same time, all the topics neces- points out that some unusual approaches to spectra are used rather consistently sary for a course of this type arecovered fully the subject matter are presented. He further throughout most of the remainder of the and adequately. Those looking for a text to states that some might find his method of book. T h e spectra are clear and easily read. use in a first year course for those students naming organic compounds unacceptable. The nmrs do not show crosshatching and in- entering the health science field should con- . . Comoounds such as 2-orooanol and 2- tegration curves, hut the numbers i f hydro- gens at each chemical shift are designated by sider this text. Students will like it. methyl-2-butene are named propan-2-01 and 2-methylbut-2-ene. Arahic numbers. Althoueh this simolification Rev. Addison Yehl T h e book is attractive inside and out. The may he helpful in getting students through Gannon College cover has the feel of a rough-textured vinyl the early pitfalls of spectra interpretation, Erie. PA 16501 wallpaper and should prove very durable. they should be expected to cope with spectra The experience of the author with students hecauseit is obtained experimentally. for whom this book is written isdemonstrated There is telescoping of material in some in the short, simple, easy-to-understand chapters. Telescoping is especially p m - sentences and the large number of very good nouneed in Chapter 7 which coversalcohda, Higher Grade Chemlstry diagrsms. T h e author's approach to the epoxides, inorganic esters of alcohols, phe- subject matter and his technique of re- nols, thiols, sulfides, and sulfonates. Phenols loin M. Duncan, Heinemann Educational are presented in 3 pages with some additimal Books, Ltd., London, 1978. iii + 185 pp. minding students of key concepts frequently will help students understand and retain the phenol chemistry scattered in other places in Fig. and tables. 23.2 X 15.5 cm. $6.25. material. the book. A numher of important points about this Instructors of chemistry may find more T h e authors have used a very descriptive paperback book can he made from the Note value in this book than students for two rea- style with little use of experimental evidence. to Teachers. While the hook is designed for sons. One is theauthor's practical and simple At times one gets the feeling that perhaps pupils in the Scottish "H" Grade, and per- only the bare minimum of what is usually methods of presenting the subject matter to haps other p o s t - " 0 level courses, its greatest covered in a year course is included. Most students at this level. T h e more important use in this country will be in high school and reason is that the large numher of fine graphs bases are touched on this score, but many of and diagrams will give chemistry teachers the tooics are discussed onlv brieflv. pointers on how to better construct their own . - graphs and diagrams to illustrate and to will offer no problem, except perhaps a ref- communicate chemical principles in a simple and tables. Mast pages consist of about half erence to the ocean liner Queen Elizabeth as manner. visuals. T h e publisher's choice of using black QE2. T h e abbreviation p.d. tor potential print over shaded areas, a technique used to difference is not adequately defined. Edmund C . Shearer draw attention to atoms or groups under Theohjeetives asstated by theauthorsare Fort Hays State University discussion, was a poor one since clarity has "to present patterns rather than unrelated Hays. KS 6760 1 been compromised. facts" and "to clarify the difficult and key One strength of the book is the number concepts." In a style much like texts written (authors claim 1181 unsolved), kinds, and manner in which problems are handled. Organic Chemistry There are "sample" problems within the first 15 chapters with solutions-not just answers. atoms and the mole, one unit on chemical Ralph J Fessenden and Joan S. Fessen Also distributed within all chapters are bonding, three units on energy, equilibrium, den, Williard Grant Press, Boston, 1979. "study" problems with answers-not solu- and electrochemistry, one unit on kinetics, two units on periodicity, four units on organic + iv 1040 pp. Figs. &tables. 26 X 18 em. tians-in the back of the book. This type of chemistry, and one uniton nuclear chemistry. $24.95. Study Guide: 214 pp. $4.95. The book has noappendix, no periodic chart, and no table of atomic numbers and atomic This textbook is very similar to a number weights. T h e index is sufficient. of other texts written for the year course in
A56 / Journal of Chemical Education
dehydes, ketones, and earhoxylir arids l1:l. series should he useful t o graduate students book reviews 14) are follcwed hy a special section o n cnr- in ahtaininga basicaverview of a widevariety txn-carhrm hcmd fwmntiun whirh cwers the of techniques a t a greater depth than that most used nmdensntirm reartims (15). A available from textbooks on instrumental shwt scrtirm entitled aryl nitl.ugen c m - methods. T h e aim is valid; there is a place in orohlem varies in number f m m ahout 10-20 pvunds which deals mainly with diazmium the literature of analytical chemistry for rhemistry (17) fcdlws amines (16). Aryl discussions of analytical methods between oxygen deriwtives (18) e w e r s quimmes and the textbook level and the level of the spe- phenolics. T h e final sections deal with sulfur cialized monograph or detailed review not a good mix of answered and unanswered and phosphwus, amino arids peptides-prw only far those mentioned by the editor but problems if the study guide is not availahle t o teins, carbohydrates, and s p w t r r w w y as also for undergraduate students. students. This suggestion is pwhahly a con- mentionrd a h w e . The first volume of this new series contains tradiction of the reason for the study guide. Within earh section there we swund a chapters on gas chromatography, the prin- Many of the pmhlems are appropriately of dozen suhsecti<rns,earh of whirh starts with ciples and instrumentation of mass spee- t h e drill type. a "statement" whirh very briefly ~xplainathe trometry, the applications of mass spec- Recognizing that many students in the nmcept orc,peration and whirh is fdlrwud by trometry, fluorescence and atomic absorption introductory organic chemistry class have a a series of questicms on the left and answers spectroscopy, and flame and plasma emission major interest in biological fields, the authors on the right of the page. IAbr~olsix tw~l-t o spectrometry. The chapters are well written; have drawn examples liberally from these three-part questions is typical.) A more however, they d o vary in how well they meet wmprehensive set of questiuns ( a r r m d 20) the aim of the series. The chapter on appli- is given at the end of each section, with a n - cations of mass spectrometry meets the aim the best. The depth and detail are much mare mer chemistry is covered in 6 pages withsome than would be found in a texthook; in addi- scattered paragraphs in various chapters on tion there are over one hundred references. nylon, polyurethanes, orlon, and polyesters. is smc~o<h. The "stalements" tend t o he verv Coupling this chapter with the chapter on Students will find the brief 1-2 page chapter ccmriseas compared trta text,and very little mass spectrometric instrumentation gives summaries useful learning aids as well as the explanation is given along with the answers. one an extensive introduction to mass spec- 20 page appendix on nomenclature. Sinre answers and questions are given sidp- trometry and prepares one t o delve into the After reviewing the book, one is left with ty-side, the student needs tr, rcwer up the topic. On the other hand, the chapter an gas the impression t h a t if students could not answers while working t he qnestiwn, and this chromatography does not contain much more learn organic chemistry from this text then needs t o he more clearly e m l h s i z e d . C c w material than is contained in instrumental there is not much hope for them. For the eragr of the major areas 01' organic chemistry chemistry major, one might wish for more was thonmgh, the most notable omission rieor and detail than is found in this text. heing dtravidet spertn,scr,gy. The accuracy Non-maims mav find that the maximum has of the answers seems t o he very g w d , though so, in this respect, it is more useful than most there are a numher ofohviw1s1y typographi- instrumental analysis textbooks. cal ernrrs, especially in the intn,dut.tirm. A series like this is especially useful when where a n u m l w rrferasures needs to he ecrr- specialized topics which are only mentioned retted. briefly in textbooks are included. Two er- Lowell E. Weller T h e elertn,cyclic, carhan-mrhon hond amples in this volume are atomic fluorescence University of Evansville I'ormation, sulfur and phmphorus and sper- spectroscopy and plasma emission spec- Evansville, IN 47702 t n x n r p y sections seemed particularly well trometry. This volume devotes approxi- done and the biolr,girall~-c,rientedsertims mately five times as many pages t o atomic rontained.some very g w d prclhlems on rar- fluorescence spectroscopy as a recent in- hr,hydrates and peptides frcm the standpoint strumental analysis textbook and also in- Mastering Organic Chemistry: A Problem- of emphasizing fundamental chemistry. This cludes many references on the topic. Some of Solving Approach hw,k may he recommended 10 the average the topics announced for future volumes, student for drillwork and 10 the ruperiur such as photoacoustical spectroscopy, Auger G m d d W Gibson, W. B. Saonders Ccm- spectrvscopy, and ion cyclotron resonance, + pany, Philadelphia. 1979. iii 563 pp. Fig. student fix review. From the teacher's standpoint, many of the prr~hlrmsmake fair .. are tonics which this tvoe of series can & tables. 26.5 X 19.5 cm. and reasmahle test, questions of the short present well. Common t o p e s such as elec- answer variety. trochemical methods w h ~ are h discussed in T h e purpose of this ho<,k01'pnrhlems is l a many other existing volumes do not neces- assist the heginning organic chemistry stu- James L. Bloomer sarily need t o be included. dent in mastering the suhject. Skills which Temple University It is hoped that future volumes will include have been emphasized are ( a ) I'nxturt p r e ~ Philadel~hia.PA 19122 complementary chapters as is the case in this diction in reactions ( h ) Selection ,rfsynthetic first volume. There is same overlap between reagents, and (c) Discrimination of isomers the complementary chapters on atomic flu- "in chemical reactions. Lesser emphasis has orescence and ahsorption spectroscopy and been given to nomenclature and mechanistic flame and plasma emission spectrometry; pmhlems. Both common and I W A C n m - Physical Methods in Modern Chemical however, the overlap is not excessive and enelatures are given, hot some ad,iustment Analysis. Volume 1 would he difficult t o avoid since different will need t o be made if a text which uses authors wrote the different chapters. current Chemical Ahstrarts type nomencla- Editor: Thrrrdwe Knionnn, Academic ture is used in nmjunetion. Though few + Press, New York, 1978. v 320 pp. Figs. Rased upon this review of the first volume, this new series does deserve a place in aca- prohlems deal directly with mechanism, fairly and tahles. 23.5 X lfi em. S33.00. demic, governmental, and industrial libraries. detailed mechanisms are given for must im- T h e review of the first volume of a new This first volume does, and hopefully future portant organic reactions using generalized vdumes will, pmvide a source of information alkyl groups. (For example, Hoffmann, Cur- series ohvioosly will he more than a review of the volume; it will also he a review of the se- ahout selected physical methods of analysis tius. and Reekmann reactions and the for those who need adetailed introduction t o ~ r n d t - ~ i s t esynthesis rt are c w e r d in de- ries. Is the aim of the series valid? Dves the series deserve a place in the scientific litera- a particular method a t a level above the in- tail.) ture? strumental analysis textbook level. T h e organization of the secticms is along functional group lines. Stereochemistry T h e aim of this new series, "Physical Alvin L. Beilby (Sections 3 and 5) is intmdured early as are Methods in Modern Chemical Analysis," Seaver Chemistry Laboratory alkyl halides ( 4 ) . T h e spectroscopic section according t o the editor is to present a de- Pornone College comes a t the end and is concerned a l m ~ t scription of selected methoddogies at a level Clarernont. CA 9 171 1 equally with.ir and nmr. Ilienes (10) ewers appropriate to those who wish toexpand their some MO theory and is followed hy electrw working knowledge of today's methods and cyclic reactions (11). Aromatics (12) deals for those who wish to dpdate their hack- mainly with electruphilic sohstitutimx Al- grounds. T h e editor further states that the