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Heterocyclic compounds
Sept., 195o.]
BOOK REVIEWS
275
Each of the seventeen chapters is written according to the same pattern. New theoretical ideas and theorems are introduced, proven where necessary, and then followed with numerous applications from many fields including sociology, medicine, biology, and games of chance. Each chapter closes with a series of problems which serve as additional illustrative text material. Answers to most of the 340 problems are included. Aside from mathematicians, physicists and other scientists who encounter problems in modern communications theory, modern physics, and the probabilistic aspects of the biological sciences will find much reference material in this volume. Needless to say, the book can be used as a valuable reference work for professional and amateur gamblers. S. C~AR~' HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS,edited by Robert C. Elderfield. Vol. 1, 703 pages, 15 × 24 cm. New York, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1950. Price, $11.00. This is the first volume of a series planned to cover the entire field of heterocyclic chemistry. Organic chemists will be grateful to Dr. Elderfield and his associates for undertaking this monumental work. The editor explains that the series is not intended to be a compendium of the field but is rather intended to show primarily the chemical principles involved; however, other aspects such as industrial uses and physiological and pharmacological properties are included. Emphasis is placed on the fact that the most recent developments have been included in this book. The chemistry of monocyclic heterocycles containing one oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur atom in three, four, five, or six membered rings is presented in this initial edition. The contents are divided into nine chapters each carefully prepared by specialists in their particular field. The subjects covered include: (1) ethylene and trimethylene oxides; (2) ethyleneimine; (3) derivatives of azete; (4) furan; (5) thiophene; (6) pyrrole and its derivatives; (7) monocyclie pyrans, pyrones, thiapyrans, and thiapyrones; (8) pyridines; and (9) piperidines and partially hydrogenated pyridines, One of the most impressive parts of the book is Harry S. Mosher's chapter on the chemistry of the pyridines. It provides an excellent coverage of the field and is replete with references. The great importance of penicillin and its structure led to the inclusion of the chapter on the derivatives of azete. Elderfield, in accord with his plans, did not include a thorough treatment of the alkaloids because they have been covered in many other texts. Some readers may feel that the chapter devoted to the chemistry of thiophene lacks the systemization of the others, but in this field sharp classification would lead to excessive specificity and tend to produce a mere tabulation of individual reactions. The provision of an excellent subject and formula index at the end of this volume will certainly facilitate its usage. The author most certainly accomplishes his avowed purpose which is to present a detailed treatment of the heterocycles emphasizing chemical principles rather than tabulating physical properties and techniques of synthesis although where this information is pertinent it is included. The material is presented in a lucid, easily read manner, and the extensive use of structural and functional formulae, together with hundreds of references, adds greatly to the clarity of the book. Any group doing research work in heterocyclic chemistry will find the first volume a great asset and anxiously look forward to the publications of subsequent members of this series. DONALD H. RUSSELL
STEAM TURBINES AND THEIR CYCLES, by J. Kenneth Salisbury. 645 pages, illustrations, 15 X 23 cm. New York, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1950. Price, $9.00. Mr. Salisbury has been with theGeneral Electric Company for many years as an engineer, in various capacities, concerned with sundry phases of steam turbines. His book, Steam Turbines and Their Cycles, fortunately reflects his wide, practical experience. Mr. Salisbury has written a practical treatise on steam turbines, explaining as simply as possible the various factors in steam turbine design. His opening chapter on thermodynamics typifies his approach to the val:ious phases of steam turbine design; he states that the ignorance that embarasses most engineers concerning thermodynamics is largely due to lack of proper presentation, to "the introduction of too many ramifications" and "the use of too few clarifying examples." Through-
BOOK REVIEWS
275
Each of the seventeen chapters is written according to the same pattern. New theoretical ideas and theorems are introduced, proven where necessary, and then followed with numerous applications from many fields including sociology, medicine, biology, and games of chance. Each chapter closes with a series of problems which serve as additional illustrative text material. Answers to most of the 340 problems are included. Aside from mathematicians, physicists and other scientists who encounter problems in modern communications theory, modern physics, and the probabilistic aspects of the biological sciences will find much reference material in this volume. Needless to say, the book can be used as a valuable reference work for professional and amateur gamblers. S. C~AR~' HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS,edited by Robert C. Elderfield. Vol. 1, 703 pages, 15 × 24 cm. New York, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1950. Price, $11.00. This is the first volume of a series planned to cover the entire field of heterocyclic chemistry. Organic chemists will be grateful to Dr. Elderfield and his associates for undertaking this monumental work. The editor explains that the series is not intended to be a compendium of the field but is rather intended to show primarily the chemical principles involved; however, other aspects such as industrial uses and physiological and pharmacological properties are included. Emphasis is placed on the fact that the most recent developments have been included in this book. The chemistry of monocyclic heterocycles containing one oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur atom in three, four, five, or six membered rings is presented in this initial edition. The contents are divided into nine chapters each carefully prepared by specialists in their particular field. The subjects covered include: (1) ethylene and trimethylene oxides; (2) ethyleneimine; (3) derivatives of azete; (4) furan; (5) thiophene; (6) pyrrole and its derivatives; (7) monocyclie pyrans, pyrones, thiapyrans, and thiapyrones; (8) pyridines; and (9) piperidines and partially hydrogenated pyridines, One of the most impressive parts of the book is Harry S. Mosher's chapter on the chemistry of the pyridines. It provides an excellent coverage of the field and is replete with references. The great importance of penicillin and its structure led to the inclusion of the chapter on the derivatives of azete. Elderfield, in accord with his plans, did not include a thorough treatment of the alkaloids because they have been covered in many other texts. Some readers may feel that the chapter devoted to the chemistry of thiophene lacks the systemization of the others, but in this field sharp classification would lead to excessive specificity and tend to produce a mere tabulation of individual reactions. The provision of an excellent subject and formula index at the end of this volume will certainly facilitate its usage. The author most certainly accomplishes his avowed purpose which is to present a detailed treatment of the heterocycles emphasizing chemical principles rather than tabulating physical properties and techniques of synthesis although where this information is pertinent it is included. The material is presented in a lucid, easily read manner, and the extensive use of structural and functional formulae, together with hundreds of references, adds greatly to the clarity of the book. Any group doing research work in heterocyclic chemistry will find the first volume a great asset and anxiously look forward to the publications of subsequent members of this series. DONALD H. RUSSELL
STEAM TURBINES AND THEIR CYCLES, by J. Kenneth Salisbury. 645 pages, illustrations, 15 X 23 cm. New York, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1950. Price, $9.00. Mr. Salisbury has been with theGeneral Electric Company for many years as an engineer, in various capacities, concerned with sundry phases of steam turbines. His book, Steam Turbines and Their Cycles, fortunately reflects his wide, practical experience. Mr. Salisbury has written a practical treatise on steam turbines, explaining as simply as possible the various factors in steam turbine design. His opening chapter on thermodynamics typifies his approach to the val:ious phases of steam turbine design; he states that the ignorance that embarasses most engineers concerning thermodynamics is largely due to lack of proper presentation, to "the introduction of too many ramifications" and "the use of too few clarifying examples." Through-