Electronic interpretations of organic chemistry

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JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION

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to remove tho thermometer just as soon as the di~tillstionis romplete, completely neglecting the. fire hazard involved. A qualitative discussion of rates is given in Part 11, assignment 13. The theoretical seetion of the book would be enhanced if thin t,opic were discussed in Part I: , As in the previous edrtmn osch experiment in Part I1 is preceded by a discussion which is called "a textbook in miniature." The preparations are conducted on a macro sede, the properties am determined on a semimicro soale. The inclusion of properties is quite often neglected in most manuals. In all of the experiments only the simplest of supplies are used. Distillation flasks with sidearms temporarily plugged arc used as refluxing h s k s , thus obviating the transfer of solutions. Almost all of the preparations can be considered conventional and were probably selected to give a solid foundation, These experiments include the "preparation and properties of": alkanes by decarhoxylation, alkencs by dehydration of an aloohol, alkynes hy treat,ing cnlcium carbide with water, alkanol by fermentation of sucrose, ethers by sulfuric aoid mcthod.. .esters, amides, mines, irnide, nitriles, eto. There are also experiments on the determination of densities, refractive indexes, and optical rotations. Two rrcellent experiments are given on isomorieation and polymerization. Three new experiments are included in this edition. Thew are on fats and fatty oils, carbohydrates, and amino aoids and proteins. The only objection which can he voiced is that none of the more advanced experiments, e. g., Friedel-Crafts, Grignard, Wurts-Fittig, etc., is given to challenge the better student. The aomments notwithstanding, this is a solid book which should prove useful psprcially in thr smallcr schools with a limited hudget. UNIV.R~ITT01 SAWFBANC~BCO BAN FRANCTBOO. CATIIPORNIA

ARTHUR FUR8T

0 THE ELECTRON MICROSCOPE D. Gabor, Engineer, British Thornson-Houston Co., Ltd., Rugby, England. Chemical Publishing Company, Braoklyn, New York, 1948. vlii 164 pp. 54 figs. 14 X 21 crn. $4.75.

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ELECTRONIC INTERPRETATIONS OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

A. Edward Remick, Associate Professor of Chemistry, Wayne University, Deboit, Michigan. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New 600 pp. 29 figs. 84 tables. York, 1949. Second edition. vii IS X 23 cm. 56.

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NOT80 long ago the borderline between classicd organic chemistry and physicalohemistrywas fairly distinct. However, during the past three decades new theories and techniques developed in physics and physiealchemistryhaveassistedin a partialresolution of this line of demarcation, so that it now appears as a vast spectrum of important, interesting, and pract,ienl phenomena. The evolution of this body of theory and fact is difficult to document, mainly because of the flexible terminology, different "schools of thought," and the extremely dynamicstate of the subject. The application of modern elect,ronin theory to the problems of organic chemistry has been invaluable in affording a critical and informative analvsis of certain oreanie chemicd ohenomma.

a distinct improvement.

much of this mzerial now sipears in 1at.m chapters: An integration of the English and American theories allows a more homogeneous and also a more harmonious presentation. Mrtny more studies of reaction mechanisms have becn inserted, an inclusion which will please most readers. .4 new chapter, Some Contributions from the Field of Stereochomistry, has been added. The chapter on chemical physics has been exteniively revised. As hafore, hits of historical background are inserted at frequent intervals throughout the text. Howelier, the historical introduetion has been abridged to allow expansion in ot,hnr sections. Thc first four aonrndixes of the first edition have been deleted.

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A LECTWE delivered at Cambridge has been expanded and brought up to date in this firat American, pocket-sized edition, which will delight physicist, chemist, and the more advanced undergraduate approaching this field for the firat time. Shorn of popularism and details, it presents an advanced, but lucid, picture of electron optics; of the past and present performance and the future possibilities of the electron microscope; of contrsst, resolution, and detection limits; and of studies of chemioal structure and analysis with it. 9 bibliography is included. One is at once impressed by the physical makeup of the book: firstgrade glassy paper, clear printing, and dozens of excellent dmwings and well-chosen electronmieragraphs. I t is to be hoped that the publishers intend this to serve as a pa.ttern for other timely subjeetn treated at this slightly advanced level. HLTBERT N. ALYEA

UNIVERBITY P a ~ ~ o s ~ New o n . Jmaer PHINCETON

appointed t,a find these sections missing hut,, of course, excessive expansion during revision had to be avoided. The list of basic principles (Appendix V-First Edition) is included as Appendix I. These basic principles are also incorporated in the main text at appropriate intervals where they serve as very helpful landmarks in the develooment and exoansion of thc theorv. A table of

how extensively, and when, the student of organic chemistry should he introduced to this specialit?;, is a difficult problem. Various applications of the electronic theory may be a logical entrance. This volume should be very useful, as the author's style and presentation allow ready comprehension. The reviewer fecli. certain that this text will receive wide aeceptanee. D O N l L D C. GREGG