Modern Chlor-alkali technology, vol. 2

organic molecules. a situation volume should help to correct. problem with this compilation which must pose something of even for library purchasers.

which this The major is its price, a problem, R. Bonnett

Stereoelectronic Effects in Organic Chemistry. By P. Deslongchamps. Pp. 375. Pergamon Press, Oxford. 7983. Flexicover f 15.25. In recent years, experimental evidence has accumulated which shows that the geometry and reactivity of many organic molecules are controlled by stereoelectronic effects. The author aims to convince organic chemists that stereoelectronic effects are important and should be routinely taken into account when analysing either the conformation of a particular compound or the course of an organic reaction. This clearlyproduced, well-referenced book is a timely and successful attempt to bring together all the experimental data which support the concept of stereoelectronic effects; theoretical support is also discussed. After a short introduction, the next three chapters deal, with acetals, esters. and respectively, amides together with related functions. The synthetic organic chemist is catered for in the following three chapters which cover reactions taking place at saturated carbon atoms, sp’-type unsaturated systems and triple bonds. Chapter 8 is a pot-pourri of miscellaneous transformations, including a description of how to use stereoelcctronic effects to design organic molecules having unusual reactivities and the development of new strategies in organic synthesis. The final chapter on biological processes points out the importance of stereoelectronic effects in enzyme-catalysed reactions and in the understanding of the relationship between chemical structure and biological activity. Highly recommended. G. Hallas

An Introduction to Speciality Polymers. Edited by N. /se and 1. Tabushi. Pp. 226, Cambridge University Press, 1983. f22.50. Nature’s ability to carry out highly specific chemical reactions, to convert chemical energy to mechanical energy or photochemica1 energy to chemical energy is a source of wonder to the layman and of frustration to the scientist. In spite of the sophistication of modern chemistry we still lack the ability to carry out even the simplest of these reactions with anything like the efficiency of biological systems. It is this challenge that has primarily Icd to the recent upsurge of interest in polymers containing specialised functional groups. This book reflects the present inadequacies as well as the very real potential of macromolecules with specific reactivities. It is, as

the title implies, essentially a book for the generalist chemist rather than specialist and indeed the purpose of the Japanese version was as a text for undergraduates and graduate students. At this level it is an excellent book, which should stimulate the imaginations of chemists in general, and polymer scientists in particular, to bridge the still wide but ever narrowing gap between biological chemistry and laboratory chemistry. Nor is it lacking in appeal to industrial chemists; the sections on homogeneous template chemistry and heterogeneous macromolecular catalysis indicate possibilities for the future. The book is not intended to give more than a flavour of the potential of speciality polymers but the chapters on energy conversion and information transfer macromoleculars are particularly topical in the modern world. In general the sections are usefully augmented by suggestions for further reading. However, the lack of references is sometimes frustrating for the specialist, particularly in the chapter concerned with the synthesis of reactive polymers, in view of the fact that the further recommended reading is also essentially review articles. G. Scott

Advances in Chromatography, Vol. 21. Edited by J. C. Giddings, E. Grushka, J. Gazes and P. R. Brown. Pp. 360. Dekker, New York. 1983. SFr. 149. This volume contains eight very substantial articles, most of which relate to liquid chromatogipahy. About half are of general interest, the remainder being devoted to such specialised areas as copolymer composition studies; analysis of K-vitamins and their antagonists; droplet counter-current systems for biological work; and quantiation in trace analysis. General surveys of affinity and anion-exchange chromatographies are well presented with a very nice blend of theory and practice. But the two most intriguing articles, for this reviewer, were those on HPLC-MS, a challenging and difficult technique and on capillary column HPLC, an emerging method of considerable potential. Current interest in these latter topics is such that these articles are particularly timely. The list of authors is so long that it is inexpedient to name them all. Since the general quality of the articles is so commendable, it would, equally, seem inappropriate to single any out for special mention. When one considers that the editors of this series have produced 21 volumes in I8 years, it is a tribute to all concerned that they can still produce a book that is fresh, entertaining, eminently readable, and, above all, so informative. This is a splendid addition to a fine series, but in giving it strong recommendation, the reviewer would cmphasise that it can stand alone as an excellent review of frontiers of our time. J. H. Purnell

Developments in Chemical Engineering. A Festschrift for P. V. Danckwerts. Edited by J. Bridgewater. (Chem. Eng. Sci. Vol. 39, No. 7) Pp. 187. Pergamon Press, Oxford. 1983. f 16.00. This special issue of the journal Chemical Engineering Science is published in honour of Professor P. V. Danckwerts, who recently relinquished his duties as Executive Editor after serving in that capacity for almost a quarter of a century. The volume begins with four invited papers, two on mixing and two on gas absorption, which review and set in their presentday context Professor Danckwerts’ own particular contributions to chemical engineering. These, however, occupy only the first 28 pages of the issue. The remainder is a collection of papers reporting current research by contributors who have been at some time associated with Professor Danckwerts. Although described as the ‘usual’ kind of Chemical Engineering Science papers, they are a little different in that most of them take a wider perspective of their subject than if they had been prepared for publication in the ordinary way. Together they reveal in a fascinating way how the ideas and influence of Peter Danckwerts have inspired a whole generation of research workers over a broad spectrum of chemical engineering. Most of the contributions in this intriguing volume are written in a clear readable style which will commend them to Professor Danckwerts, who will surely also appreciate the touch of humour in the acknowledgements on pages 52 and 67. No doubt many people who are not regular subscribers to Chemical Engineering Science will delve with pleasure into this volume. J. C. Lee

Modern Chlor-alkali Technology, Vol. 2. Edited by C. Jackson. Pp. 389. Wiley, Chichester. 1983. f35.00. This book consists of papers presented at an International Chlorine Symposium in June 1982. The book is divided into seven sections, each of which is made up from chapters representing individual contributions. Some discussion is also recorded. Section A is concerned with the development of diaphragms and diaphragm electrolysers. Next is a section on membranes and membrane cells, followed by considerations of applying this rapidly growing technology. Not surprisingly, these two sections contain the largest number of chapters. Then, after a section on electrode coatings. there are two contributions on chlorate manufacture and the book concludes with discussions on Business Considerations and Environmental Factors in the Chlor-Alkali Industry. This publication can be judged to be a success. The reader will find in it relatively up to date information on a wide variety of topics concerned with the technology of chlorine and caustic production. Even the usual disadvantage of this sort of book,

45

namely a~lack of continuity between individual chapters. is minimised by the strong theme underlying this symposium. Some of the contributions by firms active in the commercial field contain elements of sales literature, but the discerning reader can confine himself to the factual fare, of which there is plenty. The book is well produced and the price, these days, is not unreasonable. F. Goodridge

Lipids in Foods. Chemistry, Biochemistry and Technology. By F. D. Gunstone and F. A. Norris. Pp. 770. Pergamon Press, Oxford. 1983. Flexicover E8.75.

This book is in two sections. In the first ten chapters Gunstone writes on the chemistry and biochemistry of food lipids, dealing with structure, separation, analysis and physical, chemical, and biochemical properties. His lucid and accurate exposition is no more than one expects from this foremost among academic lipid specialists, even if some of it is rather esoteric for food practitioners. In the second section of eight chapters, Norris, a prominent US oil technologist, deals with industrial processes leading to the production of refined oils and their chemical and physical modifications. Products and flavour considerations complete this section. The author must be congratulated on producing a clear, concise account of his subject, though at a more elementary level than the first section. European readers must allow for a strong emphasis on US products and practices (‘billions of pounds’, ‘shortenings’, and ‘stick margarines’ sound strange!). Hydrogenation is discussed without mentioning fish oils and there is almost no reference to confectionery fats. Students and practitioners of food science and technology will find this a useful book, well produced and referenced, and filling a clear gap on the bookshelf. B. J. F. Hudson

Advanced in Infrared and Raman Spectroscopy, Volume 10. Edited by R. J. Ii. Clark and R. E. Hesteo. Pp. 454. Wiley, Chichester. 1983. f54.50.

This series has been characterised by a very high standard of both content and production, and this volume is no exception. Indeed, the coherence of the reviews is better than usual, making this an especially attractive book for spectroscopists interested in aspects of matrix isolation or crystals. Raman spectroscopy of matrix isolated species has had limited popularity in the past due to sensitivity problems on a far more severe scale than experienced with infrared absorption. Nevertheless, the complementarity of the two techniques is the vibrational modes favoured and the ease with which low frequency modes may be studied has led to an accelerating rate of study in this field. In an excellent article

46

Downs and Hawkins describe briefly aspects of the methodology-then treat in depth some systems such as metal dimers and clusters and mixed carbonyl dinitrogen complexes. A detailed bibliography of the subject from 1976 to 1981appears as an appendix as a complement to earlier bibliographies. The ammonium ion in crystals is an interesting species for investigation on account of the sensitivity of its spectra to interactions. Subtleties in phase changes and in molecular dynamics may be monitored in this way. Kearly and Oxton’s article is suitably succinct and apparently comprehensive for this specialised field. A chapter on radiation hazards of lasers by an ophthalmogist, J. Marshall, may at first sight seem misplaced in this series. This reviewer, however, found this fascinating and ended up much more aware of the nature of hazards in working with lasers and of necessary precautions to take. This should be essential reading for all laser spectroscopists and is likely to become a standard reference for safety officers. Continuing the instrumental theme a chapter on developments in fourier transform spectroscopy (P. Griffiths) describes critically, though often subjectively, several of the current systems available on the market. This article is likely to date rapidly but should prove very useful to those considering the purchase of an F. T. system. There is currently considerable interest in intermolecular forces. One of the most direct methods of studying these is through the study of lattice motions. Schettino and Califarn have done much to promote such studies. Their chapter on this subject covers the basic theory including considerations of intermolecular potentials, anharmonic interactions, and of vibrational band intensities. The results obtained for several systems are described. This, not surprisingly, is not bed-time reading, but is well worth study. The final contribution is on vibrational photochemistry (Cureton and Goodall). The technique has not achieved the widespread successin application hoped for by many in the early days of lasers, despite its usefulness in isotope separation. No such false hopes are cultivated here. The article is a very good presentation on the modes of energy transfer and on kinetic studies of more academic nature. This is a well edited and well produced text which can be strongly recommended. D. Steele. The Chemistry of Functional Groups. Supplement C. The chemistry of triplebonded functional groups. Parts 1 and 2. Edited by Saul Patai and Zvi Rappoport. Pp. 1522. Wiley, Chichester. 1983, f 799.00.

This two-part multi-author treatise is supplemental to several earlier volumes in this well-known series and covers the more recent developments in the chemistry of acety-

lenes (including arynes). cyano, isocyano. and diazonium functions in twenty-eight chapters. Seventeen of these are contained in Part 1, of which the first seven are concerned largely with the physio-chemical aspects of these functions, including chiroptical and the various spectroscopic properties, and also their radio-. thermo-, and electro-chemistry. Subsequent contributions, seemingly in random order, include useful reviews of recent work on arynes (T. L. Gilchrist) and heteroarynes (H. C. van der Plas and F. Roeterdink), and on the dediazoniation reaction of arenediazonium ions (H. Zollinger). Included among the eleven chapters of Part 2 are two on the structural and general theoretical properties of the triple bond (J. B. Moffatt) and a survey of the N.M.R. spectra of acetylenes, though the bulk of the volume is devoted to more descriptive reviews of chemical reactivity. Especially notable among these are chapters on the preparation and synthetic applications of cyanides (A. Fatiadi, 1246 refs.), nitrile oxides and related functions (G. Bianchi, R. Gandolli, and P. Grunanger), and a survey of polydiacetylenes and polyynes and their potentially important electrical properties, The supplement maintains the high standards of the series, and will be invaluable to those with access to libraries wealthy enough to subscribe to it. J. D. Hobson

Cell Surface Receptors. Edited by P. G. Strange. Pp. 298. Ellis Horwood, Chichester. 7983. f30.00.

The aim of this book, in the words of its Editor, is to provide a description of the current status of research into cell surface receptors emphasising clinical aspects where possible. Has it been achieved, and is it worth f30? The answer to the first question is that the book does provide such a description-but only of research into certain categories of cell surface receptors. This is because the book arose out of a workshop, the proceedings of which were financed by some 12 of the major pharmaceutical companies, as a result of which there is considerabie focus on receptors for neurotransmitters and their antagonists (adrenoreceptors, opiate receptors, henzodiazepine receptors, dopamine receptors, dihydropyridine receptors, and so forth), with but one chapter on the structure and regulation of adenylate cyclase and none on the receptors for insulin, for nutrients such as glucose, for bacterial toxins such as cholera or tetanus, or for any virus or other infectious agent. (In fairness to the publishers, it should be mentioned that the book is part of a series in Biochemistry in Medicine and Pharmacology).

Pharmacology libraries may buy the book, but I doubt its usefulness for most students or for libraries or researchers working outside the field of biochemical pharmacology. C. A. Pasternak