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Micro and semimicro methods. Technique of Organic Chemistry, vol. VI
309
BOOK REVIEWS The editors and authors tude for their fine work.
of this book deserve a full measure of praise and gratiCHARLES E. CARTER, New Haven,
Connecticut
Micro and Semimicro Methods. By NICOLAS CHERONIE with contributions by A. R. RONZIO and T. S. MA. Technique of Organic Chemistry, Vol. VI, edited by ARNOLD WEISSBERGER. Interscience Publishers, New York and London, 1954. 628 + xxiii pp. Price $12. This monumental volume covers the field of identification of organic compounds including purification and preparation of samples, preliminary identification by physical-constant methods, preparative reactions used in forming derivatives for confirmatory identification and for testing the properties of the compound, and testing by means of functional groups. The scale of operation is ordinarily semimicro, utilizing samples between 10 and 166 mg., but smaller scale techniques are included. The book contains 17 chapters divided into three parts. Part I is devoted primarily to general operational techniques useful to the organic microchemist. These include all common separation techniques necessary to purify samples, and a chapter on measurement of physical constants. Part II deals very extensively with micro and semimicro prepar&ive methods and generalized organic reactions on a small scale. Part III includes the more direct applications of small-scale technique to actual identification and characterization of compounds. Functional group tests and preparation of derivatives are treated along with a chapter on quantitative methods for functional group analysis in collaboration with T. S. Ma. The coverage of this limited field of microchemistry is almost encyclopedic. Not all of the available techniques and equipment are discussed, and some readers may not agree with all of the choices made, but enough is given to allow anyone to perform every test and to choose between available techniques in many instances. Emphasis is placed on a generalized approach characteristic of the practice of the author. This is a valuable feature because it allows the reader to profit from the author’s extensive experience, and because it lends a certain continuity and consistency to the presentation. The utility of this volume will be limited to those who practice at least some organic chemistry and will exclude most inorganic and some biochemical microchemists. It is to be noted that considerable attention is given to organic substances of biological interest, and the book may be very helpful to biochemists who are concerned with isolation and identification of pure compounds of biological origin. Such persons are usually restricted in the quantity of material that can be obtained practically, and could profit by the approach offered in this volume. Some readers will regret that the author has not devoted more attention to the even more critical problems that arise when only the very smallest amounts of material can be made available. Certain additional features of this volume will widen interest in it. Among these is the notable addition of a chapter by A. R. Ronzio on microsynthesis with tracer
310
BOOK REVIEWS
elements. This very active field is not well covered in the general literature, and the addition of this chapter will appeal strongly to those directly concerned with tracer work. A similar situation exists with regard to micropreparative reactions, which have not been discussed adequately since the work of Emich was published, and the newer methods have received virtually no attention in the literature. The printing is up to the usual good standards of the publisher, and the paper binding, and format are good. Few errors were noted, though one rather important one exists in Table XXIV, p. 442 where it is obvious that one or more plus signs have been omitted in the last column. Within the limited field covered, this volume will be an indispensable addition to the library of the organic chemist. PAUL L. KIRK, Berkeley, California
Annual Review of Microbiology, Volume 8. Edited by CHARLES E. CLIFTON. Annual Reviews, Inc., Stanford University, Stanford, California, 1954. 536 pp. Price $6.99. The present useful volume emphasizes the changing interests in the field of microbiology since the series began some eight years ago. Nowhere is this shift of interest more evident than in the field of nutrition. Only a few years ago investigators were still concerned with isolation and identification of growth factors and vitamins and with their microbiological assay. The present review by D. Hendlin shows that this phase has ended and workers in this field are now concerned with complex problems of biosynthesis and with antagonisms and interactions between growth factors and antibiotics. The “Metabolism of Microorganisms” has been covered by J. J. R. Campbell. In a stimulating and critical review, C. B. van Niel has discussed recent work on “Chemoautotrophic and Photosynthetic Bacteria.” This chapter is also noteworthy because of its complete coverage of papers which appeared in foreign language journals. The difficult task of organizing and reviewing the growing and popular field of “Genetics of Microorganisms” has been successfully undertaken by S. Spiegelman and 0. E. Landman, who cite a bibliography of almost 599 papers which appeared during 1953. “Mechanisms of Antibacterial Action” of antibiotics have been concisely reviewed by W. W. Umbreit. A. H. Coons, in a clear and critical manner has discussed the use of “Labelled Antigens and Antibodies” in the histochemical detection of antigens; in determining the distribution and persistence of antigens in the body and in investigating sites of antibody formation. In an interesting essay on “Foods and Feeds from Fungi,” F. S. Thatcher considers the possibilities of using microorganisms to supplement the world’s food supply in the face of an ever-increasing world population. The above chapters will prove of particular interest to biochemists. Other chapters include “Cytology of Bacteria,” S. Mudd and E. D. DeLamater; “Leptospira,” H. Schlossberger and H. Brandis; “Life History of Malaria Parasites,” P. C. C. Garnham; “Bacterial Virus,” E. A. Evans, Jr.; “Changes in the Host Flora Induced by Chemotherapeutic Agents,” E. McCoy; “Physiological Aspects of Protozoan Infection,” B. G. Maegraith; “Hepatitis, Yellow Fever, and Dengue,” W. P. Havens, Jr.; “Antigenic Variation of Influenza Viruses,” M. R. Hilleman; “Immunological Properties of Polysaccharides from Animal Parasites,” J. Oliver-Gonzalez; “Nonspecific Factors in Immunity,” W. J. Nungester; “Ef-
BOOK REVIEWS The editors and authors tude for their fine work.
of this book deserve a full measure of praise and gratiCHARLES E. CARTER, New Haven,
Connecticut
Micro and Semimicro Methods. By NICOLAS CHERONIE with contributions by A. R. RONZIO and T. S. MA. Technique of Organic Chemistry, Vol. VI, edited by ARNOLD WEISSBERGER. Interscience Publishers, New York and London, 1954. 628 + xxiii pp. Price $12. This monumental volume covers the field of identification of organic compounds including purification and preparation of samples, preliminary identification by physical-constant methods, preparative reactions used in forming derivatives for confirmatory identification and for testing the properties of the compound, and testing by means of functional groups. The scale of operation is ordinarily semimicro, utilizing samples between 10 and 166 mg., but smaller scale techniques are included. The book contains 17 chapters divided into three parts. Part I is devoted primarily to general operational techniques useful to the organic microchemist. These include all common separation techniques necessary to purify samples, and a chapter on measurement of physical constants. Part II deals very extensively with micro and semimicro prepar&ive methods and generalized organic reactions on a small scale. Part III includes the more direct applications of small-scale technique to actual identification and characterization of compounds. Functional group tests and preparation of derivatives are treated along with a chapter on quantitative methods for functional group analysis in collaboration with T. S. Ma. The coverage of this limited field of microchemistry is almost encyclopedic. Not all of the available techniques and equipment are discussed, and some readers may not agree with all of the choices made, but enough is given to allow anyone to perform every test and to choose between available techniques in many instances. Emphasis is placed on a generalized approach characteristic of the practice of the author. This is a valuable feature because it allows the reader to profit from the author’s extensive experience, and because it lends a certain continuity and consistency to the presentation. The utility of this volume will be limited to those who practice at least some organic chemistry and will exclude most inorganic and some biochemical microchemists. It is to be noted that considerable attention is given to organic substances of biological interest, and the book may be very helpful to biochemists who are concerned with isolation and identification of pure compounds of biological origin. Such persons are usually restricted in the quantity of material that can be obtained practically, and could profit by the approach offered in this volume. Some readers will regret that the author has not devoted more attention to the even more critical problems that arise when only the very smallest amounts of material can be made available. Certain additional features of this volume will widen interest in it. Among these is the notable addition of a chapter by A. R. Ronzio on microsynthesis with tracer
310
BOOK REVIEWS
elements. This very active field is not well covered in the general literature, and the addition of this chapter will appeal strongly to those directly concerned with tracer work. A similar situation exists with regard to micropreparative reactions, which have not been discussed adequately since the work of Emich was published, and the newer methods have received virtually no attention in the literature. The printing is up to the usual good standards of the publisher, and the paper binding, and format are good. Few errors were noted, though one rather important one exists in Table XXIV, p. 442 where it is obvious that one or more plus signs have been omitted in the last column. Within the limited field covered, this volume will be an indispensable addition to the library of the organic chemist. PAUL L. KIRK, Berkeley, California
Annual Review of Microbiology, Volume 8. Edited by CHARLES E. CLIFTON. Annual Reviews, Inc., Stanford University, Stanford, California, 1954. 536 pp. Price $6.99. The present useful volume emphasizes the changing interests in the field of microbiology since the series began some eight years ago. Nowhere is this shift of interest more evident than in the field of nutrition. Only a few years ago investigators were still concerned with isolation and identification of growth factors and vitamins and with their microbiological assay. The present review by D. Hendlin shows that this phase has ended and workers in this field are now concerned with complex problems of biosynthesis and with antagonisms and interactions between growth factors and antibiotics. The “Metabolism of Microorganisms” has been covered by J. J. R. Campbell. In a stimulating and critical review, C. B. van Niel has discussed recent work on “Chemoautotrophic and Photosynthetic Bacteria.” This chapter is also noteworthy because of its complete coverage of papers which appeared in foreign language journals. The difficult task of organizing and reviewing the growing and popular field of “Genetics of Microorganisms” has been successfully undertaken by S. Spiegelman and 0. E. Landman, who cite a bibliography of almost 599 papers which appeared during 1953. “Mechanisms of Antibacterial Action” of antibiotics have been concisely reviewed by W. W. Umbreit. A. H. Coons, in a clear and critical manner has discussed the use of “Labelled Antigens and Antibodies” in the histochemical detection of antigens; in determining the distribution and persistence of antigens in the body and in investigating sites of antibody formation. In an interesting essay on “Foods and Feeds from Fungi,” F. S. Thatcher considers the possibilities of using microorganisms to supplement the world’s food supply in the face of an ever-increasing world population. The above chapters will prove of particular interest to biochemists. Other chapters include “Cytology of Bacteria,” S. Mudd and E. D. DeLamater; “Leptospira,” H. Schlossberger and H. Brandis; “Life History of Malaria Parasites,” P. C. C. Garnham; “Bacterial Virus,” E. A. Evans, Jr.; “Changes in the Host Flora Induced by Chemotherapeutic Agents,” E. McCoy; “Physiological Aspects of Protozoan Infection,” B. G. Maegraith; “Hepatitis, Yellow Fever, and Dengue,” W. P. Havens, Jr.; “Antigenic Variation of Influenza Viruses,” M. R. Hilleman; “Immunological Properties of Polysaccharides from Animal Parasites,” J. Oliver-Gonzalez; “Nonspecific Factors in Immunity,” W. J. Nungester; “Ef-