321 In chapter 2, a comprehensive and elegant review of studies on primary structure and chemical modification of proteins is followed by a series of reports describing the use of various physical methods for studying protein structure. Laser Raman spectroscopy is not mentioned, although the pioneering studies of Lord and Yu on proteins in aqueous solution were published in 1970 (also omitted from Vol. 3). The sections on optical rotatory dispersion and circular dichroism, dissociation and association equilibria, and on solid phase synthesis of polypeptides are noteworthy in providing critical coverage. All attempts on the part of the reporters to improve the digestibility of the material covered are to be welcomed. E. T. Protein-Protein Verlag, Berlin,
Interactions, edited by R. JAENICKE 1972, pp. vii+464, price 524.80.
AND
E. HELMREICH, Springer-
This book reports the proceedings of the twenty-third Mosbach Colloquium on Protein-Protein Interactions. There are twenty papers contributed by speakers from European countries, Israel and the United States, which provide up-to-date information on different aspects of this particularly interesting field. The discrlssions are included for most of the papers. Introductory lectures cover the general aspects of intermolecular forces and energy calculations in proteins and simple protein models as well as structurefunction relationship in allosteric enzymes. Progress in the field relies on technical and methodical developments and there are a number of examples of the contributions made by X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy and labelling techniques in the elucidation of specific interactions in quaternary structure proteins and protein complexes. Further papers cover structural and functional aspects of a number of heteroiogous protein systems such as contractile proteins of muscle. with its important biological and Insight into the process of morphogenesis, medical implications, is provided by reports on cell-cell interactions in tissue culture and the self assembly of TW protein. This book gives the reader a clear impression of the present state of protein research and of the way in which protein-protein interactions hold specific implications in determining the extensive diversity of structure and function of living matter. J. W. -I-.
Inorganic Rings and Cages, pp. xi + 387, price L 12.50.
by D. A. ARMITAGE, Edward
This book adopts a predominantly chemistry of the main group elements
Arnold,
London,
1972,
descriptive approach to a facet covering compounds characterised
of the by a
322 ring or a cage structure. Many such structures are illustrated, often with an indication of the techniques used to establish the structure, but the discussion is by no means confined to structural topics as it includes much material on the preparation and chemical propertIes of the compounds cited. Each main group of the periodic table is covered in turn, a chapter to each group. As well as strictly inorganic substances, organometallic compounds figure prominently, but heterocyclic compounds in which carbon is part of the ring or cage are largely excluded, except where useful comparisons can be made. The carboranes are however fully treated, along with the boron hydrides, and other major fields covered are the silicate minerals and silicones, boron-nitrogen compounds, and Grignard reagents. The exclusion of transition metal compounds m:ans that there is no discussion of the interesting clusters formed by metals such as moIybdenum and gold. Literature references are comprehensive and include in the main text publications up to 1970. An appendix to each chapter covers material published well into 1971. The author has obviously had some difficulty in limiting his subject matter and has not infrequently thought it worthwhile to go beyond the strict terms of reference of his title, and to consider related chain compounds. This is hardly surprising since the bonding situations which allow the formation of rings and cages are similar to those involved in linear catenation_ The value of including references to the preparation of organochlorosilanes and even Grignard reagents, though the former are the precursors of polysiloxanes, is however less obvious. Overall this book provides a useful selection of reviews on a number of topics in main group chemistry, rather loosely related by the compounds possessing a ring or a cage structure. However the arbitrary nature of this criterion for inclusion is often apparent and many individual chemists will find the price too high if their interests are conlined to a single element or group. Those who are looking for a more general treatment of the structural features which lead to the formation of chains, rings and cages will not need the specific information on preparation and properties included here. J. C. Y.
Introduction
Publishing
to the Theory
Company,
Efict, by .I. A. KONINGSTEIN,D. Reidel 1973, pp. x+ 166, price Dfl. 48.
of the Raman
Dordrecht,
An “introduction to the theory of the Raman effect” is possibly something of a misnomer for this excellent work by Professor Koningstein, for not only is it a comprehensive text dealing with the “normal” Raman effect, but it also provides a detailed theoretical background to all aspects of light scattering and spectroscopy, including, properties of tensors, group theory and the non-linear (third order) Raman effects.