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Analytical chemistry of the rare earths
250
BOOK REVIEWS
taneous growth with new ones being born continuously. The field of organic functional group determination is no exception, as is shown by this third edition of Dr. Siggia’s book. This is not just a handbook of analytical methods; it is a presentation of the field of chemical organic functional group analysis as a whole, presenting a coordinated picture of the analytical methods for each functional group. Methods for determining trace quantities of each functional group are a welcome addition. Another new and valuable feature is the chapter on the analysis of mixtures of compounds containing the same functional group. Methods are described that will differentiate between homologs, isomers, and even between two of the same functional groups on the same molecule. There are twenty-six chapters covering hydroxyl groups ; carbonyl groups ; carboxylic acids, salts, esters, amides, imides, chlorides, and anhydrides; alkoxyl and oxyalkalene groups; epoxide groups; organic peroxides; unsaturation ; active hydrogen ; acetylenic hydrogen ; acetals, ketals, and vinyl ethers ; amino groups; imino groups; titanous and chromous reductions; hydrazines and hydrazides; diazonium salts, quaternary ammonium compounds; isocyanates and isothiocyanates ; mercaptans ; dialkyl disulfides ; dialkyl sulfides ; sulfoxides ; sulfonic acids, sulfonate salts and sulfonamides; techniques and reasoning in developing new analytical methods or modifying existing methods; the role of quantitative functiona! group determination in the identification of organic compounds; use of differential reaction rates to analyze mixtures containing the same functional group; and weighing of volatile or corrosive liquids. Complete working details are given for each method so that analyses can be made directly from the book. The scope of the discussion has been greatly increased and has added a great deal to the usefulness of the book. For example, the chemistry involved in each system and the history of the development of the method in the form presented is fully discussed, as well as the merits and limitations of each approach. The methods described were chosen for general applicability, simplicity, accuracy, and precision. No claim is made that every method is the best for all cases, but Dr. Siggia’s reputation in the field is all the assurance the reader needs. Instrumental methods and methods of separation are not included for obvious reasons. The book is printed on strong paper in easily readable type; the line drawings are clear and precise and the binding is sturdy-an important property as it will see much use on the bench as well as in the library. DAVID B. SABINE, U.S. Vitamin
and Pharmaceutical
Corp.,
Yonkers, New
York
Analytical Chemistry of the Rare Earths. By R. C. VICKERY. Pergamon Press, New York and London, 1961. viii + 139 pp. $6.50. This small monograph will be welcomed by analytical chemists who have occasion to analyze for the rare earth elements. The author has worked in this field many years, and the present volume represents a critical selection of procedures that have been proven worthy of inclusion in a manual of this type. After testing and rejecting methods of analysis, he has attempted to rationalize and stabilize analytical techniques as applied to the rare earths. This is the first book to appear that is devoted specifically to the analytical
251
BOOK REVIEWS
chemistry of the rare earth elements. There are nine chapters. A brief historical introduction is given in Chapter I, followed by chapters on sample decomposition, qualitative detection, separational procedures, noninstrumental techniques (gravimetric and volumetric), spectrophotometry, spectrography, X-ray absorption and emission spectrometry, and radiochemical techniques. Then follow three useful appendices: Geochemical Associations, Conversion Factors, and Polarography. As the author points out, polarographic procedures are well suited for following the formation of complex rare earth ions and determining their stability constants, but europium and ytterbium are the only rare earth elements that can be determined satisfactorily by means of the polarograph. Notes on the procedures, tables, and graphs add to the usefulness of the book. The literature has been critically surveyed and references are given at the end of each chapter, numbering about four hundred. The book concludes with author and subject indexes. Printing, paper, and cloth binding are good. The book is an authoritative textbook and reference source, not only specialist analyst but also for students of analytical chemistry. JOHN
Department
of Chemistry,
University
of Virginia,
Charlottesville,
for
the
H. YOE, Virginia
Standard Methods of Chemical Analysis. 6th edition. Vol. II, Industrial and Natural Products and Noninstrumental Methods. Part B. FRANK J. WELCHER (editor). D. van Nostrand Co., Princeton, N. J.; Toronto, New York, and London, 1963. xi + pp. 1283-2613. $ZS.OO. The first edition of “Standard Methods of century ago under the editorship of Dr. W. W. University of Southern California. He edited his death, Dr. N. H. Furman (then at Princeton and Volume I of the sixth edition. He is now which is edited by Dr. F. J. Welcher of Indiana
Analysis” appeared almost a half Scott, Professor of Chemistry at the the next three editions, but after University) edited the fifth edition the Advisory Editor of Volume II, University,
The book in this review is Part B of Volume II and is devoted to industrial and methods. All chapters that were in the natural products, and noninstrumental previous edition have been rewritten and enlarged and much new material has been added. Part B begins with Chapter 32 and includes chapters on the following topics: (32) explosives and propellants; (33) natural fats; (34) fertilizers; (35) fuel gases and related products; (36) gas analysis-vacuum techniques; (37) paint, varnish and lacquer; (38) paper, wood and pulp; (39) pesticides; (40) petroleum and petroleum products; (41) plastics; (42) poisons; (43) rubber and rubber products; (44) silicates: glasses, rocks and ferrous slags; (45) soaps and detergents; (46) soils; (47) vitamins; (48) water analysis; (49) water: bacteriological examination; and (SO) water: biological examination. The chapters contain many literature references, figures, tables of useful data, and illustrative calculations. All factors and calculations are based on the 1961 Table of Atomic Weights (based on carbon-12). The book is well indexed (67 pp.) and
BOOK REVIEWS
taneous growth with new ones being born continuously. The field of organic functional group determination is no exception, as is shown by this third edition of Dr. Siggia’s book. This is not just a handbook of analytical methods; it is a presentation of the field of chemical organic functional group analysis as a whole, presenting a coordinated picture of the analytical methods for each functional group. Methods for determining trace quantities of each functional group are a welcome addition. Another new and valuable feature is the chapter on the analysis of mixtures of compounds containing the same functional group. Methods are described that will differentiate between homologs, isomers, and even between two of the same functional groups on the same molecule. There are twenty-six chapters covering hydroxyl groups ; carbonyl groups ; carboxylic acids, salts, esters, amides, imides, chlorides, and anhydrides; alkoxyl and oxyalkalene groups; epoxide groups; organic peroxides; unsaturation ; active hydrogen ; acetylenic hydrogen ; acetals, ketals, and vinyl ethers ; amino groups; imino groups; titanous and chromous reductions; hydrazines and hydrazides; diazonium salts, quaternary ammonium compounds; isocyanates and isothiocyanates ; mercaptans ; dialkyl disulfides ; dialkyl sulfides ; sulfoxides ; sulfonic acids, sulfonate salts and sulfonamides; techniques and reasoning in developing new analytical methods or modifying existing methods; the role of quantitative functiona! group determination in the identification of organic compounds; use of differential reaction rates to analyze mixtures containing the same functional group; and weighing of volatile or corrosive liquids. Complete working details are given for each method so that analyses can be made directly from the book. The scope of the discussion has been greatly increased and has added a great deal to the usefulness of the book. For example, the chemistry involved in each system and the history of the development of the method in the form presented is fully discussed, as well as the merits and limitations of each approach. The methods described were chosen for general applicability, simplicity, accuracy, and precision. No claim is made that every method is the best for all cases, but Dr. Siggia’s reputation in the field is all the assurance the reader needs. Instrumental methods and methods of separation are not included for obvious reasons. The book is printed on strong paper in easily readable type; the line drawings are clear and precise and the binding is sturdy-an important property as it will see much use on the bench as well as in the library. DAVID B. SABINE, U.S. Vitamin
and Pharmaceutical
Corp.,
Yonkers, New
York
Analytical Chemistry of the Rare Earths. By R. C. VICKERY. Pergamon Press, New York and London, 1961. viii + 139 pp. $6.50. This small monograph will be welcomed by analytical chemists who have occasion to analyze for the rare earth elements. The author has worked in this field many years, and the present volume represents a critical selection of procedures that have been proven worthy of inclusion in a manual of this type. After testing and rejecting methods of analysis, he has attempted to rationalize and stabilize analytical techniques as applied to the rare earths. This is the first book to appear that is devoted specifically to the analytical
251
BOOK REVIEWS
chemistry of the rare earth elements. There are nine chapters. A brief historical introduction is given in Chapter I, followed by chapters on sample decomposition, qualitative detection, separational procedures, noninstrumental techniques (gravimetric and volumetric), spectrophotometry, spectrography, X-ray absorption and emission spectrometry, and radiochemical techniques. Then follow three useful appendices: Geochemical Associations, Conversion Factors, and Polarography. As the author points out, polarographic procedures are well suited for following the formation of complex rare earth ions and determining their stability constants, but europium and ytterbium are the only rare earth elements that can be determined satisfactorily by means of the polarograph. Notes on the procedures, tables, and graphs add to the usefulness of the book. The literature has been critically surveyed and references are given at the end of each chapter, numbering about four hundred. The book concludes with author and subject indexes. Printing, paper, and cloth binding are good. The book is an authoritative textbook and reference source, not only specialist analyst but also for students of analytical chemistry. JOHN
Department
of Chemistry,
University
of Virginia,
Charlottesville,
for
the
H. YOE, Virginia
Standard Methods of Chemical Analysis. 6th edition. Vol. II, Industrial and Natural Products and Noninstrumental Methods. Part B. FRANK J. WELCHER (editor). D. van Nostrand Co., Princeton, N. J.; Toronto, New York, and London, 1963. xi + pp. 1283-2613. $ZS.OO. The first edition of “Standard Methods of century ago under the editorship of Dr. W. W. University of Southern California. He edited his death, Dr. N. H. Furman (then at Princeton and Volume I of the sixth edition. He is now which is edited by Dr. F. J. Welcher of Indiana
Analysis” appeared almost a half Scott, Professor of Chemistry at the the next three editions, but after University) edited the fifth edition the Advisory Editor of Volume II, University,
The book in this review is Part B of Volume II and is devoted to industrial and methods. All chapters that were in the natural products, and noninstrumental previous edition have been rewritten and enlarged and much new material has been added. Part B begins with Chapter 32 and includes chapters on the following topics: (32) explosives and propellants; (33) natural fats; (34) fertilizers; (35) fuel gases and related products; (36) gas analysis-vacuum techniques; (37) paint, varnish and lacquer; (38) paper, wood and pulp; (39) pesticides; (40) petroleum and petroleum products; (41) plastics; (42) poisons; (43) rubber and rubber products; (44) silicates: glasses, rocks and ferrous slags; (45) soaps and detergents; (46) soils; (47) vitamins; (48) water analysis; (49) water: bacteriological examination; and (SO) water: biological examination. The chapters contain many literature references, figures, tables of useful data, and illustrative calculations. All factors and calculations are based on the 1961 Table of Atomic Weights (based on carbon-12). The book is well indexed (67 pp.) and