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Inorganic chemistry in liquid ammonia
Inorganic Chemistry in Liquid Ammonia by DavidNichols. Pp. x + 240. Elsevier, Amsterdam andNew York. 1979. $49.00 (Dfl. 1 10.00).
This is the first comprehensive review of inorganic reactions in the solvent ammonia since the publication of Jander’s mammoth work on ammonia chemistry a decade ago. The literature is brought up to date with a good review and bibliography and very little preparative work of importance has been missed. The reactions of elements and compounds (Chapter 4) and acid-base behaviour (Chapter 5) are well presented. The final chaper on the reactions of metal-ammonia solutions contains a substantial amount of newly reviewed work and successfully describes this in the context of the voluminous older literature. No serious discussion of the nature of these solvated electron solutions has been made. Very little that is new has been offered in the discussion of oxidation reduction reactions (Chapter 6). I have two major criticisms. Firstly, this book suffers from the disadvantage of so many solvent texts at both non-aqueous undergraduate and research levels; no attempt has been made to discuss fully underlying solutions. physical properties of Understanding of these properties must necessarily aid a discussion of the reactions presented in the book and I feel that Chapter 2 fails the reader in this respect. Secondly, if the book is aimed at the researcher, and I assume that it is, a larger review of the methods used in this area of chemistry would be desirable. I welcome this book, although I appreciate that it will only have a limited specialist readership. Unfortunately, there can be no question that the price of $49.00 for a book in photo offset form is ridiculously inflated and beyond the pocket of most us. J. B. Gill Physcochemical Applications of Gas Chromatography by Richard J. Laub and Robert L. Pecsok. Pp. x + 300. John Wiley, Chichester. 19 78. f 16.50 ($33.00).
Precise thermodynamic and kinetic data for gases, liquids, and surfaces can, in principle, rapidly be obtained from gas chromatograms. In practice, rather cumbersome theoretical models are required if accuracy is to become commensurate with precision. At the same time, the practitioner must be concerned with intensely practical details such as the preparation of column packing material and control offlow rate and temperature. Laub and Pecsok have produced a very well documented yet admirably critical evaluation of this curious mixture of abstruse theory and mundane practice. Three introductory chapters offer a somewhat breathless, brief guide to the history, theory, and techniques of obtaining precise retention data. At the heart of the book are two major chapters+ne on the well established use of gas chromatography for the study of the thermodynamics of dilute organic solutions, and the other on the more controversial and confused topic of charge transfer complexation. This latter chapter contains a comparison with spectroscopic
methods and an extensive discussion of some models of solution behaviour based ‘on the tantalising microscopic concept of immiscibility. Shorter chapters cover virial coefficients, gas-solid adsorption, rate constants, diffusion, and the determination of molecular properties of pure substances. D.A. Lenthard Emission Spectrochemical Analysis by T. Tiirtik, J. Mika, andE. Gegus. Pp. ix + 692. Adam Hilger, Bristol. 1978. f31.50.
This book is concerned with the practical aspects of atomic emission spectroscopy as an analytical technique and consists of a short introduction and seven other chapters covering sample preparation, radiation sources, conditions line affecting intensities, spectrographic analysis, spectrometric analysis, visual spectroscopic analysis; and the evaluation of the results of measurements. It also contains many tables of useful data in a separate section. The main emphasis is on arc/spark emission and only brief mention is made of inductively coupled plasmas, hollowcathode emission spectroscopy, and the glowdischarge lamp. Emission from flames and furnaces is not considered. The theoretical aspects of emission spectrochemical analysis are not discussed since they have already been covered in an earlier book (J. Mika and T. Torok, Analytical Emission Spectroscopy, Fundamentals, Akademiai Kiado, Budapest, and Butterworth, London, 1973). There are few references to papers and books published after 1971. However this book is well illustrated with figures and diagrams and contains a wealth of practical detail that will interest all who engage in or teach emission spectrochemical analysis. The authors have worked hard to collect and present so much information in a clear and well-arranged manner. The book is strongly recommended to spectrographers. J. B. Headridge Le desherbage des cultures sous les tropiques byJ. Deuse andE. M. Lavabre. Pp. 3 12. Maissoneuve et Larose, Paris. 1979.f.150. This book, with a preface by R. Coste, begins with a general summary of the nature of weeds, including their classification and toxicity. This is followed by an account of their economic importance and the principal techniques used for their destruction. The authors then describe the characteristics of weedkillers and the equipment used for their application. In the second part of the book they consider individual crops in relation to climate and their physiochemical needs. Having described the most important weeds afflicting each crop the authors try to define how serious the effects are and what precautions should be taken. The different kinds of treatment, and suitable programmes, are reviewed; these may be of a traditional type or may include specific chemical agents. This is followed by a list of phytotoxic substances, the weed groups for which they are most appropriate, and the factors significant for their use under tropical conditions.
Crops are considered under two broad headings. These are respectively annual crops (cereals, roots, vegetables, tobacco, pyrethrum, and those yielding oil or fibre) and perennial crops (grouped according to usage). Finally, some specific weed problems are considered, with special reference to acquatic weeds. A. Horellou Insect Clocks 279. Pergamon coverf5.50.
by 0. S. Saunders. Pp. x + Press, Oxford. 1979. Flexi
‘Insect Clocks’ is the first volume devoted exclusively to the mechanisms by which insects utilise daily and seasonal time cues to regulate their physiology and development. It provides a detailed but highly readable discussion of rhythms in individual insects as well as insect populations; genetic and physiological aspects of rhythms; and insect photoperiodism. The formal analysis of light and temperature effects on rhythms and their significance for photoperiodism are treated with unusual clarity. The book also discusses such fascinating and little-understood phenomena as the time-memory of bees, time-compensated sun orientation, and lunar and tidal rhythms. The anatomical localisation of photoreceptors and clocks is described in the last chapter. The literature is given thorough coverage to about the mid- 1970s. The useful appendices include a glossary of terms and a catalogue of rhythms and photoperiodic control of diapause in various insect species. Students of insect physiology and development, as well as students of rhythms and photoperiodic responses in general will find this book highly informative. R. Konopka Micro-organisms.
Function,
Form
and
Environment,Znd edition. Editedby Lilian E. Hawker andAlan H. Linton. Pp. 39 1. EdwardArnold, London. 1979. f8.95.
An old friendcan it really be 19 years since ‘An Introduction to the Biology of Microorganisms’ was published-appears again, in smart new clothes. The familiar 1971 hardback, which succeeded the 1960 ‘Introduction’ as one of the broadest and best-balanced microbiology undergraduate texts ever assembled, yields to a stylish limp-covered second edition with a larger, two-column format which can cram 800 words on a page and is ideal for rapid skimming. The text is concentrated and modernised, the illustrations copious, many new; some references are as recent as 1977. An excellent index, compiled with computer aid, displays a few strange entries where the machine seems to have gained the upper hand: where did it get psittacosis ‘virus’ (sic) from? One can find blank spots-gnotobiotics, continuous cell lines, lectins. The new system of within-chapter subheadings is definitely less clear, and followed none too consistently by some of the 22 Bristol contributors (page 364 places dextran under Antibiotics). Were the editorial hands of Professor Lilian Walker and Dr Alan Linton just a little less firm this time? 87
This is the first comprehensive review of inorganic reactions in the solvent ammonia since the publication of Jander’s mammoth work on ammonia chemistry a decade ago. The literature is brought up to date with a good review and bibliography and very little preparative work of importance has been missed. The reactions of elements and compounds (Chapter 4) and acid-base behaviour (Chapter 5) are well presented. The final chaper on the reactions of metal-ammonia solutions contains a substantial amount of newly reviewed work and successfully describes this in the context of the voluminous older literature. No serious discussion of the nature of these solvated electron solutions has been made. Very little that is new has been offered in the discussion of oxidation reduction reactions (Chapter 6). I have two major criticisms. Firstly, this book suffers from the disadvantage of so many solvent texts at both non-aqueous undergraduate and research levels; no attempt has been made to discuss fully underlying solutions. physical properties of Understanding of these properties must necessarily aid a discussion of the reactions presented in the book and I feel that Chapter 2 fails the reader in this respect. Secondly, if the book is aimed at the researcher, and I assume that it is, a larger review of the methods used in this area of chemistry would be desirable. I welcome this book, although I appreciate that it will only have a limited specialist readership. Unfortunately, there can be no question that the price of $49.00 for a book in photo offset form is ridiculously inflated and beyond the pocket of most us. J. B. Gill Physcochemical Applications of Gas Chromatography by Richard J. Laub and Robert L. Pecsok. Pp. x + 300. John Wiley, Chichester. 19 78. f 16.50 ($33.00).
Precise thermodynamic and kinetic data for gases, liquids, and surfaces can, in principle, rapidly be obtained from gas chromatograms. In practice, rather cumbersome theoretical models are required if accuracy is to become commensurate with precision. At the same time, the practitioner must be concerned with intensely practical details such as the preparation of column packing material and control offlow rate and temperature. Laub and Pecsok have produced a very well documented yet admirably critical evaluation of this curious mixture of abstruse theory and mundane practice. Three introductory chapters offer a somewhat breathless, brief guide to the history, theory, and techniques of obtaining precise retention data. At the heart of the book are two major chapters+ne on the well established use of gas chromatography for the study of the thermodynamics of dilute organic solutions, and the other on the more controversial and confused topic of charge transfer complexation. This latter chapter contains a comparison with spectroscopic
methods and an extensive discussion of some models of solution behaviour based ‘on the tantalising microscopic concept of immiscibility. Shorter chapters cover virial coefficients, gas-solid adsorption, rate constants, diffusion, and the determination of molecular properties of pure substances. D.A. Lenthard Emission Spectrochemical Analysis by T. Tiirtik, J. Mika, andE. Gegus. Pp. ix + 692. Adam Hilger, Bristol. 1978. f31.50.
This book is concerned with the practical aspects of atomic emission spectroscopy as an analytical technique and consists of a short introduction and seven other chapters covering sample preparation, radiation sources, conditions line affecting intensities, spectrographic analysis, spectrometric analysis, visual spectroscopic analysis; and the evaluation of the results of measurements. It also contains many tables of useful data in a separate section. The main emphasis is on arc/spark emission and only brief mention is made of inductively coupled plasmas, hollowcathode emission spectroscopy, and the glowdischarge lamp. Emission from flames and furnaces is not considered. The theoretical aspects of emission spectrochemical analysis are not discussed since they have already been covered in an earlier book (J. Mika and T. Torok, Analytical Emission Spectroscopy, Fundamentals, Akademiai Kiado, Budapest, and Butterworth, London, 1973). There are few references to papers and books published after 1971. However this book is well illustrated with figures and diagrams and contains a wealth of practical detail that will interest all who engage in or teach emission spectrochemical analysis. The authors have worked hard to collect and present so much information in a clear and well-arranged manner. The book is strongly recommended to spectrographers. J. B. Headridge Le desherbage des cultures sous les tropiques byJ. Deuse andE. M. Lavabre. Pp. 3 12. Maissoneuve et Larose, Paris. 1979.f.150. This book, with a preface by R. Coste, begins with a general summary of the nature of weeds, including their classification and toxicity. This is followed by an account of their economic importance and the principal techniques used for their destruction. The authors then describe the characteristics of weedkillers and the equipment used for their application. In the second part of the book they consider individual crops in relation to climate and their physiochemical needs. Having described the most important weeds afflicting each crop the authors try to define how serious the effects are and what precautions should be taken. The different kinds of treatment, and suitable programmes, are reviewed; these may be of a traditional type or may include specific chemical agents. This is followed by a list of phytotoxic substances, the weed groups for which they are most appropriate, and the factors significant for their use under tropical conditions.
Crops are considered under two broad headings. These are respectively annual crops (cereals, roots, vegetables, tobacco, pyrethrum, and those yielding oil or fibre) and perennial crops (grouped according to usage). Finally, some specific weed problems are considered, with special reference to acquatic weeds. A. Horellou Insect Clocks 279. Pergamon coverf5.50.
by 0. S. Saunders. Pp. x + Press, Oxford. 1979. Flexi
‘Insect Clocks’ is the first volume devoted exclusively to the mechanisms by which insects utilise daily and seasonal time cues to regulate their physiology and development. It provides a detailed but highly readable discussion of rhythms in individual insects as well as insect populations; genetic and physiological aspects of rhythms; and insect photoperiodism. The formal analysis of light and temperature effects on rhythms and their significance for photoperiodism are treated with unusual clarity. The book also discusses such fascinating and little-understood phenomena as the time-memory of bees, time-compensated sun orientation, and lunar and tidal rhythms. The anatomical localisation of photoreceptors and clocks is described in the last chapter. The literature is given thorough coverage to about the mid- 1970s. The useful appendices include a glossary of terms and a catalogue of rhythms and photoperiodic control of diapause in various insect species. Students of insect physiology and development, as well as students of rhythms and photoperiodic responses in general will find this book highly informative. R. Konopka Micro-organisms.
Function,
Form
and
Environment,Znd edition. Editedby Lilian E. Hawker andAlan H. Linton. Pp. 39 1. EdwardArnold, London. 1979. f8.95.
An old friendcan it really be 19 years since ‘An Introduction to the Biology of Microorganisms’ was published-appears again, in smart new clothes. The familiar 1971 hardback, which succeeded the 1960 ‘Introduction’ as one of the broadest and best-balanced microbiology undergraduate texts ever assembled, yields to a stylish limp-covered second edition with a larger, two-column format which can cram 800 words on a page and is ideal for rapid skimming. The text is concentrated and modernised, the illustrations copious, many new; some references are as recent as 1977. An excellent index, compiled with computer aid, displays a few strange entries where the machine seems to have gained the upper hand: where did it get psittacosis ‘virus’ (sic) from? One can find blank spots-gnotobiotics, continuous cell lines, lectins. The new system of within-chapter subheadings is definitely less clear, and followed none too consistently by some of the 22 Bristol contributors (page 364 places dextran under Antibiotics). Were the editorial hands of Professor Lilian Walker and Dr Alan Linton just a little less firm this time? 87