Interactions in electrolyte solutions

BOOKRJZVLEWS

323

The subjects of the articles reflect the interest in such important technological topics as electrometallurgy and fuel cells in the U.S.S.R_ at the present time. The emphasis that the Russia_ns place on both pure and applied electrochemistry is

evidenced English

by the fact

translations

that

provide

all these papers a fascinating

come from the same institute.

a.nd up-to-date

insight

into

the

These Russian

literature

and current thought; the conclusions are clearly stated. A cursory examination indicates that the quality of the articles is not uniform ; no doubt the appropriate specialists would find many points to challenge in the individual papers. There is enough common subject matter to make the purchase of this volume by workers in the solid oxide and molten salt fields, worthwlnle. The book, which is soft-covered, is generally well-produced. D. INMXN, Imperial J_ EZecfroanaZ_

Chem.,

College, London 15 (19671

~ZZ-323

Inkractions ip~ElectrolyteSohtions, by G. H. NANCOLLAS, Elsevier PulSishing Company, Amsterdam,

x966,

x + 214

pages,

Dfl.

40.--_

For the purposes of this book, “interactions in electrolyte solutions” means mainly interactions in aqueous electrolyte solutions. In particular, the author has been concerned to produce a $xtantial account of the follcation of mononuclear

complexes

and of their properties.

The book begins with a brief description

of water

structure and dielectric theory-perhaps too brief to be useful. The second chapter gives a valuable description of the experimental methods that may be used to determine association constants and of the pitfalls facing the unwary. Chapter 3 describes the treatment of the data required to give association constants and the ways of bringing in activity coefficients. One wishes that more emphasis had been placed on the application of computer methods here, particularly as in practice it is often necessary to allow for formation of polynuclear complexes. The remainder of the book is concerned with the interpretation of association constants and their related heats and entropies. The appendix contains a useful compilation of experimental data. If a central point emerges from the book it is that although such thermodynamic measurements are essential preliminaries to understanding the properties of ion-pairs, they are indeed only preliminaries. It is clear that whilst we have by no means exhausted our need for more and accurate thermodynamic data, the most crucial experiments we must do relate to structural effects. This book is clearly written and well printed and will be of some considerable value both to the graduate student working in the specific area and to more experienced workers. The price, however, is sufficiently high to ensure that the book will mainly be purchased by libraries. S. B. BRUMMER,Tyco Laboratories Inc., Waltham, J_ E&.drounoZ-

Chm-,

Mass.

13 (x967)

323