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Advanced inorganic chemistry. A comprehensive text. 4th edition
credit side, the inclusion of references, and brief chapters on near-infrared spectra and inorganic compounds are welcome, as is the recognition given to the region below 600 cm-I. But since there are similar existing texts, one looks for more distinctive features. The high price (16~ per page) and awkward shape are the most obvious. hf. Goldstein
Statistical Mechanic8 of the Liquid Surface by Clive A. Croxton. Pp. xi + 345. Wiley,
Chichester.
1980.
f25.00.
As a result of intensive experimental and theoretical research, the equilibrium properties of several types of homogeneous liquids are now rather well understood. During the last decade or so many researchers, especially theoreticians, have turned their attention to the more difficult problem of understanding liquid interfaces. Clive Croxton is the first to attempt a comprehensive review ofthe statistical theory of liquid interfaces. The emphasis throughout is on the planar liquid-vapour interface since this is the subject which has received most attention. Croxton discusses the calculation of the surface structure and surface tension for a wide variety of liquids; there are chapters on simple (argon-like) liquids, molecular liquids, liquid mixtures, liquid metals, quantum liquids, and water. There are also chapters dealing with liquid crystal surfaces and polymer adsorption at a solvent interface. I found the chapters on simple liquids rather confusing; the treatment of correlations in the interface and the discussion of capillary-waves is not very convincing and the author fails to give a clear account of the fundamental statistical theory underlying these. The remaining chapters are more qualitative in character and adequately capture the flavour of recent research. Many readers will be disappointed to find no discussion of surface critical phenomena, this being a currently fashionable topic; they will also find some of the most interesting material is in the last chapter which was compiled while the book was in press, indicating, perhaps, that it is somewhat premature. In spite of these criticisms, I believe the book provides a reasonable introduction to this rapidly developing field and will prove useful for researchers in liquid state physics.
R. Evans Boron Chemistry-4. Edited by R. W. Parry and G. Kodama. Pp. 16 1. Pergamon Press, Oxford, forlUPAC. 1980. f22.00 ($49.50). This volume contains the invited Lectures given at the Fourth International Meeting on Boron Chemistry (IMEBORON IV) held in Salt Lake City, July 1979. This conference was unique in that the two Plenary Lecturers (W. N. Lipscomb and H. C. Brown) were respectively a recent Nobel Laureate’ and a man destined to join the same club soon’ afterwards. They were backed up by very capable Session Lecturers, covering aspects of boron chemistry as diverse as cluster compounds, including metalloboranes (R. W. Rudolph, K. Wade, W. E. Hill, V. I. Bregadze, D. F. Gaines, T. P. Fehlner); the chemistry of
organoborates (A. Pelter), and of cyclic diboroethenes (W. Siebert); and the study of unusual boron compounds, triborylamines (H. Noth) and boron analogues of a-amino acids (B. F. Spielvogel). There was even a session on non-classical carbocations (R. E. Williams), with species which are isoelectronic polyboranes. These contributions have been expertly documented to form a volume which workers in the field and libraries will wish to possess. The book concludes with an amusing anecdotal account of early work in the boron field (A. B. Burg), presented as an after-dinner speech at the conference. There are, however, two regrets. Firstly, in the aftermath of the Nobel Prize it was impossible for H. C. Brown’s contribution to be included. Secondly, the use of camera-copy gives the book a piecemeal appearance, with variable typefaces, spacings, and quality of drawings. Despite these drawbacks, however, I shall not be without my own copy. K. Smith
Advanced Inorganic Chemisttry. A Comprehensive Text. 4th Edition
by
F. A. Cotton and G. Wilkinson. Pp. 1396. Wiley, Chichester. 1980. f 13.75.
To the vast majority of inorganic chemists, this is the age of ‘Cotton and Wilkinson’ and deservedly so. The third edition established this book as the leading text in the field, and the fourth will be welcomed by students and researchers worldwide. Literature coverage is updated to 1979, and in order to increase factual material without undue increase in size, some of the more elementary theory in the third edition has been omitted. The student will find it desirable to read the author’s ‘Basic Inorganic Chemistry’ together with the fourth edition for complete coverage of the subject. The new edition is in four parts. Part One (Introductory Topics) now contains less theory, but two excellent and comprehensive chapters on the properties of ligands, and their classification according to donor atom, are added. Parts Two and Three follow the pattern of the earlier edition, and the reviewer welcomes the change in terminology in Part Two to ‘Main Group’ elements from the somewhat derogatory term ‘Non-Transition’. Part Four (Special Topics) is largely new and deals with aspects which have developed rapidly in recent years, such as metal-metal bonds, metal atom clusters, bio-inorganic chemistry, and the application of transition metal compounds containing M-C and M-H bonds in synthesis and catalysis. The book is beautifully produced, and retains the high standard of presentation and readability which characterised earlier editions.
summary sections, and the underlining of key sentences. As a further encouragement to learning there are more than I200 exercises and problems with answers provided for one out of three (All the answers, and still more exercises, can be found in the companion Workbook). Considerable emphasis is placed on synthesis and practical difficulties are not overloo$ed. It is reassuring to read that ‘in its experimental aspects organic chemistry can be stubbornly empirical’. Several excellent chapters are devoted to the chemistry of the carbonyl group which form the basis for an elegant introduction to carbohydrate metabolism and biogenesis. Despite the title complete coverage cannot be expected and inevitably (it seems) heterocyclic chemistry receives scant attention. It is also unfortunate that once again the direction of radical addition to alkenes is attributed to the stability of the intermediate radical formed. This is strictly textbook chemistry and not in accordance with the facts (see Tetrahedron, 36,701,1980). The authors have achieved their aim of providing an eminently readable and clearly understandable text for students, but it is enormous. Books on this scale should be published in two volumes, introductory and advanced. Kemp and Vellacio is not expensive but the 1400 pages must daunt the most dedicated students.
R. H. Thomson Additive Migration from Plastics Food by T. R. Crompton. Pp. 256. Pergamon
Press, Oxford.
1980.
into
f2 1 .OO
($4 7.00). The growth in the use of plastics for packaging foods has been accompanied by a growing concern for the potential toxicity of additives present in these plastics when extracted by foodstuffs. The additives present in these packaging plastics are numerous and the nature of many foodstuffs makes it difficult to assess the extent of any extraction. This book sets out to familiarise the reader with both the theoretical and practical aspects of additive migration. In particular, this text will be of value in the laboratory as it describes in detail not only methods of simulating extraction but also methods of determining the amount of additives extracted. In addition, there is an extremely useful, although brief, review of the types of plastics and additives used and also current legislative aspects of their use in the food industry. This book, however, is likely to be of interest to many other areas using plastics for packaging, such as the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
N. E. Richardson
C. C. Addison
Organic
Chemistry
F. Vellaccio. 1980.$21.95.
by DanielS. Kemp and Pp. 1422. Worth, New York.
This is another heavyweight American text on basic organic chemistry. Its particular virtues arise from the great pains taken by the authors to help the understanding of the student by developing concepts slowly, and by such devices as the use of numerous charts and
The Engineering of Microprocessor Systems. Guidelinea of System Development. The Electrical Research Association. Pp. 180. Pergamon Press, Oxford. 1980. Hardback f 7.50 ($lS.OO), Flexicover f2.95 ($6.00).
While much has been written in the last few years about microprocessors and their applications, for managers, engineers, and others considering the incorporation of
91
Statistical Mechanic8 of the Liquid Surface by Clive A. Croxton. Pp. xi + 345. Wiley,
Chichester.
1980.
f25.00.
As a result of intensive experimental and theoretical research, the equilibrium properties of several types of homogeneous liquids are now rather well understood. During the last decade or so many researchers, especially theoreticians, have turned their attention to the more difficult problem of understanding liquid interfaces. Clive Croxton is the first to attempt a comprehensive review ofthe statistical theory of liquid interfaces. The emphasis throughout is on the planar liquid-vapour interface since this is the subject which has received most attention. Croxton discusses the calculation of the surface structure and surface tension for a wide variety of liquids; there are chapters on simple (argon-like) liquids, molecular liquids, liquid mixtures, liquid metals, quantum liquids, and water. There are also chapters dealing with liquid crystal surfaces and polymer adsorption at a solvent interface. I found the chapters on simple liquids rather confusing; the treatment of correlations in the interface and the discussion of capillary-waves is not very convincing and the author fails to give a clear account of the fundamental statistical theory underlying these. The remaining chapters are more qualitative in character and adequately capture the flavour of recent research. Many readers will be disappointed to find no discussion of surface critical phenomena, this being a currently fashionable topic; they will also find some of the most interesting material is in the last chapter which was compiled while the book was in press, indicating, perhaps, that it is somewhat premature. In spite of these criticisms, I believe the book provides a reasonable introduction to this rapidly developing field and will prove useful for researchers in liquid state physics.
R. Evans Boron Chemistry-4. Edited by R. W. Parry and G. Kodama. Pp. 16 1. Pergamon Press, Oxford, forlUPAC. 1980. f22.00 ($49.50). This volume contains the invited Lectures given at the Fourth International Meeting on Boron Chemistry (IMEBORON IV) held in Salt Lake City, July 1979. This conference was unique in that the two Plenary Lecturers (W. N. Lipscomb and H. C. Brown) were respectively a recent Nobel Laureate’ and a man destined to join the same club soon’ afterwards. They were backed up by very capable Session Lecturers, covering aspects of boron chemistry as diverse as cluster compounds, including metalloboranes (R. W. Rudolph, K. Wade, W. E. Hill, V. I. Bregadze, D. F. Gaines, T. P. Fehlner); the chemistry of
organoborates (A. Pelter), and of cyclic diboroethenes (W. Siebert); and the study of unusual boron compounds, triborylamines (H. Noth) and boron analogues of a-amino acids (B. F. Spielvogel). There was even a session on non-classical carbocations (R. E. Williams), with species which are isoelectronic polyboranes. These contributions have been expertly documented to form a volume which workers in the field and libraries will wish to possess. The book concludes with an amusing anecdotal account of early work in the boron field (A. B. Burg), presented as an after-dinner speech at the conference. There are, however, two regrets. Firstly, in the aftermath of the Nobel Prize it was impossible for H. C. Brown’s contribution to be included. Secondly, the use of camera-copy gives the book a piecemeal appearance, with variable typefaces, spacings, and quality of drawings. Despite these drawbacks, however, I shall not be without my own copy. K. Smith
Advanced Inorganic Chemisttry. A Comprehensive Text. 4th Edition
by
F. A. Cotton and G. Wilkinson. Pp. 1396. Wiley, Chichester. 1980. f 13.75.
To the vast majority of inorganic chemists, this is the age of ‘Cotton and Wilkinson’ and deservedly so. The third edition established this book as the leading text in the field, and the fourth will be welcomed by students and researchers worldwide. Literature coverage is updated to 1979, and in order to increase factual material without undue increase in size, some of the more elementary theory in the third edition has been omitted. The student will find it desirable to read the author’s ‘Basic Inorganic Chemistry’ together with the fourth edition for complete coverage of the subject. The new edition is in four parts. Part One (Introductory Topics) now contains less theory, but two excellent and comprehensive chapters on the properties of ligands, and their classification according to donor atom, are added. Parts Two and Three follow the pattern of the earlier edition, and the reviewer welcomes the change in terminology in Part Two to ‘Main Group’ elements from the somewhat derogatory term ‘Non-Transition’. Part Four (Special Topics) is largely new and deals with aspects which have developed rapidly in recent years, such as metal-metal bonds, metal atom clusters, bio-inorganic chemistry, and the application of transition metal compounds containing M-C and M-H bonds in synthesis and catalysis. The book is beautifully produced, and retains the high standard of presentation and readability which characterised earlier editions.
summary sections, and the underlining of key sentences. As a further encouragement to learning there are more than I200 exercises and problems with answers provided for one out of three (All the answers, and still more exercises, can be found in the companion Workbook). Considerable emphasis is placed on synthesis and practical difficulties are not overloo$ed. It is reassuring to read that ‘in its experimental aspects organic chemistry can be stubbornly empirical’. Several excellent chapters are devoted to the chemistry of the carbonyl group which form the basis for an elegant introduction to carbohydrate metabolism and biogenesis. Despite the title complete coverage cannot be expected and inevitably (it seems) heterocyclic chemistry receives scant attention. It is also unfortunate that once again the direction of radical addition to alkenes is attributed to the stability of the intermediate radical formed. This is strictly textbook chemistry and not in accordance with the facts (see Tetrahedron, 36,701,1980). The authors have achieved their aim of providing an eminently readable and clearly understandable text for students, but it is enormous. Books on this scale should be published in two volumes, introductory and advanced. Kemp and Vellacio is not expensive but the 1400 pages must daunt the most dedicated students.
R. H. Thomson Additive Migration from Plastics Food by T. R. Crompton. Pp. 256. Pergamon
Press, Oxford.
1980.
into
f2 1 .OO
($4 7.00). The growth in the use of plastics for packaging foods has been accompanied by a growing concern for the potential toxicity of additives present in these plastics when extracted by foodstuffs. The additives present in these packaging plastics are numerous and the nature of many foodstuffs makes it difficult to assess the extent of any extraction. This book sets out to familiarise the reader with both the theoretical and practical aspects of additive migration. In particular, this text will be of value in the laboratory as it describes in detail not only methods of simulating extraction but also methods of determining the amount of additives extracted. In addition, there is an extremely useful, although brief, review of the types of plastics and additives used and also current legislative aspects of their use in the food industry. This book, however, is likely to be of interest to many other areas using plastics for packaging, such as the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
N. E. Richardson
C. C. Addison
Organic
Chemistry
F. Vellaccio. 1980.$21.95.
by DanielS. Kemp and Pp. 1422. Worth, New York.
This is another heavyweight American text on basic organic chemistry. Its particular virtues arise from the great pains taken by the authors to help the understanding of the student by developing concepts slowly, and by such devices as the use of numerous charts and
The Engineering of Microprocessor Systems. Guidelinea of System Development. The Electrical Research Association. Pp. 180. Pergamon Press, Oxford. 1980. Hardback f 7.50 ($lS.OO), Flexicover f2.95 ($6.00).
While much has been written in the last few years about microprocessors and their applications, for managers, engineers, and others considering the incorporation of
91