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Analytical Chemistry of Molybdenum
398
pollution has a different meaning. The subject matter dealt with in this section of the book includes detergents, synthetic organic pesticides, oil, toxic metals and waste water treatment. Again, as in other parts of the book, the authors contend with overall results and interactions and not the methods by which they were obtained. The book makes very good reading, but the difficulties and experimental side of the actual investigations are lacking. There is plenty here for the thermal analyst and there is much here for the experimental environmental chemist. In short, it is an “ideas” book and will provoke the discerning scientist into new fields of venture. D. DOLLIMORE ( Toledo, OH, U. S. A.)
Analytical Chemistry of Molybdenum, by Gordon Berlin, 1983, pp. VII + 175, 98DM.
A. Parker,
Springer-Verlag,
Since Duval wrote his monumental book on thermogravimetric analysis, the number of analytical techniques has expanded and many more of these techniques can be tested by thermal analysis methods. A book such as Gordon A. Parker’s book on the Analytical Chemistry of Molybdenum provides a checklist of points which the thermal analyst can now investigate. The work is presented in two parts. The first discusses procedures by technique; precipitation, calorimetry, electrochemistry, etc. In the second part of the book the analysis of specific classes of materials for molybdenum is considered. These types are classed as rock and mineral samples, molybdenum and molybdenum-based alloys, molybdenum in ferrous and non-ferrous alloys, molybdenum compounds, animal, plant, soil and environmental samples. The methods of analysis discussed include gravimetric, titrimetric, and calorimetric methods, emission spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectrometry, X-ray fluorescence, voltammetry, catalytic methods, and radiochemical and activation methods. Dr. Parker points out that it is not sufficient to follow blindly the procedures as outlined. Each sample requires individual study and a knowledge of possible interfering constituents. The reader is thus obliged to draw from several chapters to achieve proper dissolving procedures, to isolate molybdenum from its interferences or in some way sequester these interferences without separation, to select the appropriate analytical technique, and finally to calculate and report the results. This specific advice for molybdenum is, of course, true as a generalization for analytical techniques for all elements. To this piece of advice, Dr. Parker adds one other vital ingredient, namely, experimental skill. Before starting on the discussion regarding the two main sections of the book the author reviews the methods available for’the qualitative detection
399
of molybdenum and the methods by which separation may be achieved. It is probably the gravimetric techniques detailed by Dr. Parker which can most easily be seen as contenders for a thermogravimetric study, but there are also points in the section dealing with titrimetric methods which can be profitably studied using thermal analysis methods. This is not the limit of the procedures listed by Dr. Parker. Calorimetric methods are also discussed. It is pointed out that, ideally, the color-forming reagent should be both specific for the metal of interest and produce a highly-colored complex. No one reagent meets these goals for molybdenum. This chapter on calorimetric methods, and succeeding chapters on emission spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectrometry, X-ray fluorescence, and voltammetry are discussed here in detail, and these detection methods could be the possible measuring devices in new thermal analysis techniques. There is an interesting chapter on catalytic methods and another on radiochemical and activation methods. The remaining chapters, as already indicated, deal with analysis of various materials for molybdenum. This is a well constructed book written by a good teacher and an investigator with a sound understanding of the subject. D. DOLLIMORE ( Toledo, OH, U. S. A. )
pollution has a different meaning. The subject matter dealt with in this section of the book includes detergents, synthetic organic pesticides, oil, toxic metals and waste water treatment. Again, as in other parts of the book, the authors contend with overall results and interactions and not the methods by which they were obtained. The book makes very good reading, but the difficulties and experimental side of the actual investigations are lacking. There is plenty here for the thermal analyst and there is much here for the experimental environmental chemist. In short, it is an “ideas” book and will provoke the discerning scientist into new fields of venture. D. DOLLIMORE ( Toledo, OH, U. S. A.)
Analytical Chemistry of Molybdenum, by Gordon Berlin, 1983, pp. VII + 175, 98DM.
A. Parker,
Springer-Verlag,
Since Duval wrote his monumental book on thermogravimetric analysis, the number of analytical techniques has expanded and many more of these techniques can be tested by thermal analysis methods. A book such as Gordon A. Parker’s book on the Analytical Chemistry of Molybdenum provides a checklist of points which the thermal analyst can now investigate. The work is presented in two parts. The first discusses procedures by technique; precipitation, calorimetry, electrochemistry, etc. In the second part of the book the analysis of specific classes of materials for molybdenum is considered. These types are classed as rock and mineral samples, molybdenum and molybdenum-based alloys, molybdenum in ferrous and non-ferrous alloys, molybdenum compounds, animal, plant, soil and environmental samples. The methods of analysis discussed include gravimetric, titrimetric, and calorimetric methods, emission spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectrometry, X-ray fluorescence, voltammetry, catalytic methods, and radiochemical and activation methods. Dr. Parker points out that it is not sufficient to follow blindly the procedures as outlined. Each sample requires individual study and a knowledge of possible interfering constituents. The reader is thus obliged to draw from several chapters to achieve proper dissolving procedures, to isolate molybdenum from its interferences or in some way sequester these interferences without separation, to select the appropriate analytical technique, and finally to calculate and report the results. This specific advice for molybdenum is, of course, true as a generalization for analytical techniques for all elements. To this piece of advice, Dr. Parker adds one other vital ingredient, namely, experimental skill. Before starting on the discussion regarding the two main sections of the book the author reviews the methods available for’the qualitative detection
399
of molybdenum and the methods by which separation may be achieved. It is probably the gravimetric techniques detailed by Dr. Parker which can most easily be seen as contenders for a thermogravimetric study, but there are also points in the section dealing with titrimetric methods which can be profitably studied using thermal analysis methods. This is not the limit of the procedures listed by Dr. Parker. Calorimetric methods are also discussed. It is pointed out that, ideally, the color-forming reagent should be both specific for the metal of interest and produce a highly-colored complex. No one reagent meets these goals for molybdenum. This chapter on calorimetric methods, and succeeding chapters on emission spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectrometry, X-ray fluorescence, and voltammetry are discussed here in detail, and these detection methods could be the possible measuring devices in new thermal analysis techniques. There is an interesting chapter on catalytic methods and another on radiochemical and activation methods. The remaining chapters, as already indicated, deal with analysis of various materials for molybdenum. This is a well constructed book written by a good teacher and an investigator with a sound understanding of the subject. D. DOLLIMORE ( Toledo, OH, U. S. A. )