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Noble-gas chemistry
J. inorg,nucl.Chem., 1969,Vol.31, p. 3343. PergamonPress. Printedin Great Britain
BOOK REVIEW Noble-Gas Chemistry. J. H. HOLLOWAY. Methuen, London 1968.213 + viii pp., 42s. THIS BOOK is in three parts: the first deals with the noble gases themselves and covers early attempts to make them react, the second with their weakly bonded and short-lived species as exemplified, on the one hand, by the clathrates and, on the other, by the spectroscopically observed entities, the third with their chemical compounds in the ordinary sense which have attracted so much enquiry and interest since 1962. The arrangement in parts has enabled the author to present, briefly but adequately, an account of these elements and their behaviour that should prove a boon to the student, attractive to the non-specialist, and useful to those embarking on research on the chemistry of the noble gases. Part I, with 32 pages and 100 references, has wisely been kept short. Part II is somewhat longer (45 pages and 221 references): it gives a brief account of the clathrates but its main feature is a description of the various molecules and ions which have been claimed on spectroscopic evidence. The contribution which a knowledge of the latter has made to the investigations described in Part lII is indicated. Of course, Part I11 is the heart of this little book. It has chapters on the binary fluorides of xenon, the oxide fluoride and oxides of xenon and the aqueous chemistry of xenon, the complexes of xenon, explosion hazards with xenon compounds, xenon chlorides and other xenon compounds, compounds of krypton and radon, bonding in the noble-gas compounds, and, finally, applications of the noble-gas compounds. The chapter titles reflect the scope and also indicate the present limitations of noble-gas chemistry. Nevertheless, the chemical compounds already prepared, particularly those of xenon, and the questions of structure and bonding they raise, now constitute a subject of considerable proportions. Of the material available, the author has made a judicious selection; in the light of this he states what has been achieved and suggests what is likely to be achieved in the near future. Having himself worked in this field, Dr. Holloway brings to his account of the experimentation immediacy and enthusiasm as well as a careful regard for factual accuracy. The writing is clear, the tables and figures appropriate and helpful, and Part I l l is as good an account of the normal chemistry of the noble gases as could be expected in the space of 115 pages, backed by 318 references. The book is provided with a subject index; it is well produced and reasonably priced. P. L. R O B I N S O N
3343
BOOK REVIEW Noble-Gas Chemistry. J. H. HOLLOWAY. Methuen, London 1968.213 + viii pp., 42s. THIS BOOK is in three parts: the first deals with the noble gases themselves and covers early attempts to make them react, the second with their weakly bonded and short-lived species as exemplified, on the one hand, by the clathrates and, on the other, by the spectroscopically observed entities, the third with their chemical compounds in the ordinary sense which have attracted so much enquiry and interest since 1962. The arrangement in parts has enabled the author to present, briefly but adequately, an account of these elements and their behaviour that should prove a boon to the student, attractive to the non-specialist, and useful to those embarking on research on the chemistry of the noble gases. Part I, with 32 pages and 100 references, has wisely been kept short. Part II is somewhat longer (45 pages and 221 references): it gives a brief account of the clathrates but its main feature is a description of the various molecules and ions which have been claimed on spectroscopic evidence. The contribution which a knowledge of the latter has made to the investigations described in Part lII is indicated. Of course, Part I11 is the heart of this little book. It has chapters on the binary fluorides of xenon, the oxide fluoride and oxides of xenon and the aqueous chemistry of xenon, the complexes of xenon, explosion hazards with xenon compounds, xenon chlorides and other xenon compounds, compounds of krypton and radon, bonding in the noble-gas compounds, and, finally, applications of the noble-gas compounds. The chapter titles reflect the scope and also indicate the present limitations of noble-gas chemistry. Nevertheless, the chemical compounds already prepared, particularly those of xenon, and the questions of structure and bonding they raise, now constitute a subject of considerable proportions. Of the material available, the author has made a judicious selection; in the light of this he states what has been achieved and suggests what is likely to be achieved in the near future. Having himself worked in this field, Dr. Holloway brings to his account of the experimentation immediacy and enthusiasm as well as a careful regard for factual accuracy. The writing is clear, the tables and figures appropriate and helpful, and Part I l l is as good an account of the normal chemistry of the noble gases as could be expected in the space of 115 pages, backed by 318 references. The book is provided with a subject index; it is well produced and reasonably priced. P. L. R O B I N S O N
3343