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Industrial applications of homogeneous catalysis
431
terns”. It should be emphasized that the authors are principally concerned with complexes between cations and anions that are both polymeric. This complements the subject matter of another recent Elsevier Applied Science publication, “Electrochemical Technology of Polymers” (edited by R. Linford). covering the use of polymers with non-polymeric ions. Those studying modified electrodes may feel that their subject is treated rather briefly; for example, the importance of diffusion in polymers is not discussed and only complexes between two polymeric ions are considered. I felt no such disappointment, since that topic is treated elsewhere and the reader will derive greater benefit from the polymer science. The balance is restored to some extent by the following chapter on ionic polymer membranes. notably Nafion and its carboxylate analogues. A primary feature of this excellent chapter is the correlation of observed properties with structure and solvent content. The familiar applications of these membranes and the modelling of biological systems are other interesting topics. The modified electrode community will find these two chapters very informative. The final chapters are oriented towards two general areas of application: medicine and the electrodeposition of paint (“electrophoretic painting”). In the former case, this includes intrinsically active polyelectrolytes, those used to deliver active species, and coatings designed to protect/disperse tablets. It is a broadly qualitative overview, with emphasis on general principles, rather than specific systems. The same is true of the final chapter, although this deals more with physical processes and the techniques used to study them. With the inclusion of a comparison of the relative merits of anionic and cationic polymers, I found this a very well organised chapter. Overall, I found this a very readable book, with a nice balance of synthesis, characterisation and applications. It is a book on polymers, not electrochemistry. Consequently, it is not aimed at those readers desiring strongly electrochemically biased reviews (which can be found elsewhere). As an electrochemist using polymeric materials, I found it an extremely informative book and I recommend it to others working in this area. ROBERT
Industrial Applications of Homogeneous Catalysis. (Editors). Reidel, Dordrecht. 1988, ISBN-9027725209,
HILLMAN Bnstol
A. Mortreux and F. Petit 360 pp., Dfl.180.00, E63.00.
A seminar held at the University of Lille in 1985 for research chemists forms the basis of this book, consisting as it does of 12 considerably expanded lectures. These form individual chapters, each with its own bibliography; they were clearly mostly written after the seminar since many contain references up to 1986/7. The authors are based in various laboratories in universities, industries and research centres
432
within the E.E.C. The accent is on applications of organo-transition metal complexes as catalysts. Details about industrial operations are sparse, but this book provides many examples of commercially operating processes covering a broad spectrum of products in both the petrochemical and natural product fields. The scope is not restricted to present industrial processes; the various chapters are replete with examples of laboratory reactions of considerable interest. There are three interesting chapters on new areas of potential future application. These are the activation of alkane C-H bonds (M. Ephritikhine), photoinduced electron transfer and redox photo-catalysis (J.P. Sauvage) and supported metal clusters (J.M. Basset). The accent of the book is firmly on exemplifying transition metal mediated reactions. With the exception of the last two chapters cited, the principles of the chemistry are not addressed. Reaction mechanisms do have some emphasis in three chapters dealing with alkene conversion reactions (polymerisation by Ph. Teyssie, oligomerisation by Y. Chauvin and metathesis by the editors). This book is aimed at industrial chemists, chemical engineers, Ph.D. students and academics. Few chemists who are organometallic specialists have such a broad knowledge of target products that they cannot find this book a valuable asset. With over 700 references from both academic and patent literature, it will form an informative browse for those seeking to expand their repertoire. I would certainly recommend this book for purchase in libraries. Industrial and academic research groups concerned with the application of transition metals as organic reagents and catalysts might well wish to have copies close at hand. J. EVANS Southampton
terns”. It should be emphasized that the authors are principally concerned with complexes between cations and anions that are both polymeric. This complements the subject matter of another recent Elsevier Applied Science publication, “Electrochemical Technology of Polymers” (edited by R. Linford). covering the use of polymers with non-polymeric ions. Those studying modified electrodes may feel that their subject is treated rather briefly; for example, the importance of diffusion in polymers is not discussed and only complexes between two polymeric ions are considered. I felt no such disappointment, since that topic is treated elsewhere and the reader will derive greater benefit from the polymer science. The balance is restored to some extent by the following chapter on ionic polymer membranes. notably Nafion and its carboxylate analogues. A primary feature of this excellent chapter is the correlation of observed properties with structure and solvent content. The familiar applications of these membranes and the modelling of biological systems are other interesting topics. The modified electrode community will find these two chapters very informative. The final chapters are oriented towards two general areas of application: medicine and the electrodeposition of paint (“electrophoretic painting”). In the former case, this includes intrinsically active polyelectrolytes, those used to deliver active species, and coatings designed to protect/disperse tablets. It is a broadly qualitative overview, with emphasis on general principles, rather than specific systems. The same is true of the final chapter, although this deals more with physical processes and the techniques used to study them. With the inclusion of a comparison of the relative merits of anionic and cationic polymers, I found this a very well organised chapter. Overall, I found this a very readable book, with a nice balance of synthesis, characterisation and applications. It is a book on polymers, not electrochemistry. Consequently, it is not aimed at those readers desiring strongly electrochemically biased reviews (which can be found elsewhere). As an electrochemist using polymeric materials, I found it an extremely informative book and I recommend it to others working in this area. ROBERT
Industrial Applications of Homogeneous Catalysis. (Editors). Reidel, Dordrecht. 1988, ISBN-9027725209,
HILLMAN Bnstol
A. Mortreux and F. Petit 360 pp., Dfl.180.00, E63.00.
A seminar held at the University of Lille in 1985 for research chemists forms the basis of this book, consisting as it does of 12 considerably expanded lectures. These form individual chapters, each with its own bibliography; they were clearly mostly written after the seminar since many contain references up to 1986/7. The authors are based in various laboratories in universities, industries and research centres
432
within the E.E.C. The accent is on applications of organo-transition metal complexes as catalysts. Details about industrial operations are sparse, but this book provides many examples of commercially operating processes covering a broad spectrum of products in both the petrochemical and natural product fields. The scope is not restricted to present industrial processes; the various chapters are replete with examples of laboratory reactions of considerable interest. There are three interesting chapters on new areas of potential future application. These are the activation of alkane C-H bonds (M. Ephritikhine), photoinduced electron transfer and redox photo-catalysis (J.P. Sauvage) and supported metal clusters (J.M. Basset). The accent of the book is firmly on exemplifying transition metal mediated reactions. With the exception of the last two chapters cited, the principles of the chemistry are not addressed. Reaction mechanisms do have some emphasis in three chapters dealing with alkene conversion reactions (polymerisation by Ph. Teyssie, oligomerisation by Y. Chauvin and metathesis by the editors). This book is aimed at industrial chemists, chemical engineers, Ph.D. students and academics. Few chemists who are organometallic specialists have such a broad knowledge of target products that they cannot find this book a valuable asset. With over 700 references from both academic and patent literature, it will form an informative browse for those seeking to expand their repertoire. I would certainly recommend this book for purchase in libraries. Industrial and academic research groups concerned with the application of transition metals as organic reagents and catalysts might well wish to have copies close at hand. J. EVANS Southampton