BOOK REVIEWS
Transcript of BOOK REVIEWS
A N A L Y T I C A L C H E M I S T R Y BOOK REVIEWS
Advances in Magnetic Resonance. Vol. 1. John S. Waugh, Ed. xi + 413 pages. Academic Press, Inc., Ill Fifth Ave., New York, Ν. Υ. 10003. 1966. $15.
Reviewed by Wallace S. Brey, Jr., Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.
This volume is described as the first of a series which will cover nuclear and electron spin resonance, quadrupole spectroscopy, and related areas such as molecular beams, optical pumping, and microwave spectroscopy.
The contributions in the first volume include several with a mathematical-theoretical viewpoint, several extensive compilations of data, and one review which is more general in nature. This review is likely to be of most interest to analytical chemists; by D. R. Eaton and W. D. Phillips, it deals with "Nuclear Magnetic Resonance of Paramagnetic Molecules," covering both basic theory and typical applications.
The longest section, "Geminal and Vicinal Proton-Proton Coupling Constants in Organic Compounds," by A. A. Bothner-By includes some hundred pages of tables of constants critically selected from the literature, mostly that of 1962 and 1963. This extensive catalog is preceded by a concise review of available generalizations about coupling constants. Unfortunately, any catalog of data of this type must appear unwieldy at first inspection. Then, too, a more up-to-date coverage might have been desirable, but neither of these facts detracts from the usefulness of this compilation to a worker in the field. A similar compilation of hyper-fine splitting constants is presented in "Electron Spin Resonance of Radical Ions" by K. W. Bowers. The table is "hopefully complete through midsummer, 1964."
Entitled, "The Theory of Relaxation Processes," the first section in the book is a revised version by A. G. Redfield of his often-referenced paper which appeared originally some years ago in an IBM journal. It is very helpful to have the presentation in readily available form. The next contribution, "Chemical Rate Processes and Magnetic Resonance," by C. S. Johnson, although spiced with a few examples, is essentially a discussion of the principles and mathematical relations involved in the application of both nuclear and electron resonance, and of both continuous wave and transient methods, to the determination of rates of relatively
rapid reactions. M. Barfield and David M. Grant, in "Theory of Nuclear Spin-Spin Coupling," review a field in which both have made significant contributions. Methods, equations, limitations, and advantages of various approaches to the calculation of coupling constants, either ah initio or with aid of other molecular parameters, are treated.
This is a valuable volume, at least for anyone who is actively interested in magnetic resonance, carefully produced, and, by today's standards, reasonably priced. One might hope, however, that a January 1966 publication date would imply more extensive coverage of 1964 and early 1965 literature than is found in several of the chapters.
Purification of Laboratory Chemicals. D. D. Perrin, W. L. F. Armar-rego, Dawn R. Perrin. vii + 362 pages. Pergamon Press Inc., 21st St., Long Island City, New York 11101. 1966. $11.
Reviewed by David H. Freeman, National Bureau of Standards, Washington, D. C. 20234.
This book presents a compilation of 3000 compounds, arranged alphabetically, and their respective purification procedures. There are 60 pages of elementary introduction. Most of the compounds are organic, and most of the procedures are surprisingly brief. For example, 40% of the entries are like the following: "Glutamine. Cryst. from water." For one compound out of seven, reference to the literature is given.
This tabulation of purification recipes is compiled from the literature without further comment. At best, the work is uncritical, and the recipes are frequently of uncertain usefulness. The conventional aspects of chemical purification, such as the identification of likely contaminants, measurement of their concentrations, optimized methods of lowering their concentrations, and helpful technical details, are dismissed with the understanding that the reader may already be familiar with them. In an isolated but serious instance, the procedure given for drying hydrogen bromide gas with magnesium perchlorate is apt to lead to an explosion [M. J. Stross and G. B. Zimmerman, Ind. Eng. Chem. 17, 70 '(1939)] unless the necessary and unmentioned precautions are taken.
This book is aimed at an important gap in the literature. Its success in closing this gap is unfortunately limited and fragmentary.
Zone Melting. Hermann Schild-knecht. xii + 222 pages. Academic Press. Ill Fifth Ave., New York, Ν. Υ. 10003. 1966. $9.
Reviewed by Henry E. Wood, Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich.
The first section of this book sets forth the theory necessary to an understanding of the zone-melting process through a discussion of normal freezing and concise descriptions of the various types of solid-liquid phase equilibria that occur in binary and ternary mixtures. The theory is then applied to the zone melting of eutectics and systems involving mixed crystal formation. The second section is concerned with the equipment needed to produce, maintain, and move the narrow, sharply bounded molten zone that is essential to the success of the zone-melting process. Since heat conduction is the major problem in this connection, there is also some theoretical discussion of the temperature gradient in the melt, and of the methods of heating and cooling. Photographs and drawings are included of zone-melting apparatus constructed by numerous investigators for a variety of purposes. The number of successful applications of this relatively new separation process that are cited in the final section are a convincing demonstration of its utility.
All aspects of zone melting are adequately and succinctly covered in this book. Although the German original was not available for comparison, the quality of the translation appears to be excellent; only a few sentences were noted that had a definitely Teutonic turn of expression. The format and printing are satisfactory, and the proofreading was done with care.
This book is especially recommended to the attention of those who are about to use the technique of zone melting for the first time. After mastering its contents, the novice should be able to construct an apparatus and process his sample with no more difficulties than normalfy are encountered in such undertakings. Even an experienced practitioner might read it with profit.
It was the author's expressed intention to emphasize those features of the theory, apparatus, and application of zone melting that are of greatest inter-
VOU 38, NO. 1 3, DECEMBER 1966 · 7 3 A
NEW BOOKS
est to the laboratory worker, and he has succeeded admirably. The reviewer regards this as the most useful book on the subject that he has yet read. Progress in Nuclear Energy. Series
IX. Analy t ica l Chemistry. Vo l . 5. Instrument and Chemical Analysis Aspects of Electron Mi croanalysis and Mic roana lys is . Herbert A. Elion. ix + 256 pages. Pergamon Press, Inc. J,.Jr01, 21st St., Long Island City, Ν. Y. 11101. wee. $14.
Reviewed by L. S, Birks, V. S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D. C. 20390.
I t is only about 15 years since the beginning of electron probe analysis but the subject has attracted great attention because of the instrument's unique ability to perform quantitative chemical analysis on selected, micron-sized local areas in alloys, minerals, biologi-cals, etc. Many papers and' several books have been published outlining principles and practice. The most re-
Yes, our MR Recorder often seems like many instruments at work...and the specs tell you why.
DESCRIPTION: SARGENT MODEL MR RECORDER-automatic, self-balancing, 10-inch potentiometer recorder. High gain amplifier; high stability solid state reference power supply needs no standardization. Line operated.
QUANTITY RECORDED: mV, V, p-a and ma—selected by panel switch. ZERO DISPLACEMENT: calibrated ranges of 10, 100, 1000 and 5000 of the selected units, upscale or downscale.
ELECTRICAL RANGE: twelve pre-calibrated ranges by switch selection—0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 200C. Variable range expansion from 100% (off) tc Λ0% of selected range.
LIMIT OF ERROR: 0 .1% or 5/»V, whichever is greater. SOURCE RESISTANCE TOLERANCE: 50,000 ohms in most sensitive range, increasing with increasing range.
ELECTRICAL FILTERING: four position switch to reject transverse and common mode A.C. superimposed on the D.C, signal, without loss of sharp balancing characteristics.
jlWBIOTiilBigBffiafffcrtffwa
DAMPING GAIN ADJUSTMENT: automatic with range change; panel dial for fine adjustment —especially for low resistance systems like thermocouples.
CHART DRIVE: twelve synchronous speeds~0.5, 1, 2, 4, 10, 20-by dial selection, inches per hour or per minute by panel switch. Rapid scanning in forward and reverse.
PEN SPEED: 1 second for full scale transverse. CHART TAKE-UP: automatic, by motor with preset torque—or by-pass for free end chart tear off.
This gives you some idea why the SARGENT MODEL MR can do the work of several .less versatile recorders, manual potentiometers or precision meters. To get the complete picture, write for Bulletin MR.
SARGENT SCIENTIFIC LABORATORY INSTRUMENTS-APPARATUS-CHEMICALS
E. H. SARGENT & CO. 4647 West Foster Avenue Chicago · Anaheim, Calif. · Birmingham · Cincinnati · Cleveland Chicago, I l l inois 60630 Dallas · Denver · Detroit · Springfield, N.J. · Toronto, Canada
Circle No. 141 on Headers' Service Card
cent of these is the book by H. A. Elion. The book starts with an introductory chapter on historical background which emphasizes the roles of the corporations with which the author has been connected. This is followed by chapters on electron optics, x-ray crystal optics, detectors, specimen préparation, factors in quantitative analysis, and miscellaneous related topics.
Chapter headings notwithstanding the reader finds that the book is clearly divided into two distinct areas, namely a detailed discussion of electron optics which takes up 30% of the book followed by a general, descriptive coverage of the rest of the subject. Within the area of, electron optics, Dr. Elion takes a somewhat low position on the merits of afocal electron lenses but unfortunately does not give any quantitative values for their aberrations . compared with usual electron lenses. Other researchers more versed in electron optics than this reviewer have stated in the past that the theoretical advantages ascribed by Elion to afocal lenses do not exist in practice. In addition, most analysts have no control over the electron optics design of instruments; thus the lengthly discussion is largely wasted on them.
Contrasted with the overly long section on electron optics, many of the topics on which the analyst, especially the relative newcomer, needs specific guidance, are covered in a very cursory fashion or only by references to the literature. For instance, there is no discussion on precision or accuracy (they are not even listed in the index) ; there are only three sentences on the important shift of pulse amplitude with counting rate for proportional detectors; procedures for converting measured x-ray intensity to chemical composition (quantitative analysis) arc discussed so briefly that the analyst has no equations to actually use.
In favor of the book, it should be said that, except for the electron optics section, the material is very readable. Also the bibliography is extensive and seems quite complete.
Chemical Principles in Calculations of Ionic Equilibria. Em.il J. Mo,r-golis. xi + 482 pages. The Macinil-lan Co., 60 Fifth Ave., New York, N. Y. 10011. 1966. $7.95. (Paperback: $3.95).
Reviewed by Richard A. Durst, Department of Chemistry, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Mass. 02167.
The material presented in this text is without doubt very important in. the overall education of a chemist, but unfortunately has been relegated in recent
74 A ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
NEW BOOKS
years to the nebulous area in the curriculum between general chemistry and "modern" analytical chemistry. Presently there is not enough time to cover chemical calculations in depth in general chemistry and most analytical courses stress instrumental techniques. In the reviewer's opinion, this book is best suited as a text for an independent, one-semester course on ionic equilibria and solution chemistry for chemistry majors in their second or third semester. This would have the additional advantage that general chemistry could become somewhat more descriptive than the present quantitatively-oriented course which often loses students in a maze of derivations, equations, and calculations.
The first two chapters are primarily a review of mathematical operations and chemical definitions and might better have been summarized in an appendix.
Errors noted in this text were minimal. In working representative samples of the problems, no calculation errors were found. However, in the descriptive sections several points deserve comment. On page 52, the term "pseudo-salt" is applied to mercuric chloride to indicate its covalent nature. I doubt a need exists to coin new and ambiguous terms to describe an extreme in the continuous gradation that occurs in bond covalency. I t gives the impression that there are such things as 100% ionic bonds. On page 293, the author perpetuates the error of the mechanism by which the glass electrode functions. Although its mode of operation is not completely understood, it is now generally accepted that hydrogen ion diffusion through the glass membrane does not occur, but rather it is an ion exchange process in which hydrogen ions from the solution exchange with alkali metal ions in the surface layer of the glass. The potential difference that develops on the external surface of the glass is thereby dependent on the hydrogen ion activity in the solution. Finally, on page 318, I question the statement that metallic sodium forms at the mercury cathode instead of hydrogen gas even in an acid solution.
The book contains a very good selection of worked problems totaling about 100 and an abundance of over 200 supplementary problems representing virtually all facets of the material discussed. The most notable exception is in the section on redox titrations where the description of this type of calculation is quite good, but there is practically nothing about them in the interpretive exercises and problem section. In most cases the worked problems are clearly explained in a logical, stepwise manner.
No "grapefruit effect" from this wash bottle
Y o u never get stray squirts and leaks when you squeeze a Mallinckrodt A R plastic wash bottle. Cap, hose and nozzle are all a single molded piece. There are no joints. The liquid has just one place to go—right where you aim it.
The spout is a hard, rigid mold that's shaped like a jet engine nacelle. It delivers everything from a single drop to a needle-sharp stream; and it won't crack or split under prolonged use. Next time you order wash bottles, get this hard-nosed model.
Another new idea in labware from the people who think past the product. Stocked in several sizes for immediate shipment by your lab supplier.
® Mallinckrodt
MALLINCKRODT CHEMICAL WORKS St. Louis · New York · Los Angeles
Circle No. 59 on Readers' Service Card
VOL. 3 8 , N O . 13 , DECEMBER 1 9 6 6 . 7 5 A
AR Plastics
NEW BOOKS
There is a conspicuous lack of figures and diagrams throughout , and in many cases their inclusion would greatly clarify the discussed material . Also missing are references to related sources of information which might be useful to the serious s tudent . Finally, references in the text section to per t inent worked problems a t the end of each chapter would have been helpful in correlating the theory and calculations.
In spite of the above criticisms, this book does help fill a gap in texts available for the teaching of ionic equilibr ium theory and calculations. I t
t rea t s ionic equilibrium in depth and in this respect fulfills the author ' s aims in writing a supplementary text for general chemistry and quant i ta t ive analysis. A book of this type deserves inclusion into the chemistry curriculum bu t unfortunately an already overcrowded schedule of courses may prevent its use except as a supplemental text.
Standard Methods of Chemical Analysis . 6th e d . Vols, HI A and II IB, Instrumental Methods . Frank J. Welcher, ed. xviii + 974 and xi + 10Ιβ pages. D. Van Nostrand Co.,
Inc., 120 Alexander St., Princeton, N. J. 1966. $ΰ0 both parts {not sold separately).
Reviewed by F. E. Beamish, Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
This book, prepared by 86 authors , contains in Volume A a discussion of 41 ins t rumental methods of analysis intended to provide a general unders tanding of the principles of ins t rumentat ion; as well as the scope, advantages , and limitations of each technique. Each method includes a discussion of the basic principles and the required equations, the ar rangement and operations of the functional par t s , and detailed direction for each s tep of the technique. P a r t I I of Volume A and Β deal with the application of the instrumental methods to special materials which in general are the same as those of Vohime I I with some exceptions in the ease of those materials which have received adequate coverage in Volume I I of this scries. Included in the chapters dealing with materials are new chapters on food and semiconductors. Each of the 23 chapters on materials provides practical information on manipulation, accuracy of measurement , and potential sources of error for the various instrumental methods.
In Volume A all of the ins t rumental methods which are included, while they cannot be considered s tandard methods in the sense used in previous volumes, have been widely used, or a t least, effectively used for various purposes for which a noninst rumental method might have, for any reason, proved to be inferior. In addition, methods have been included where they are known to be useful in solving special problems and where they may be helpful in suggesting possible approaches for the development of other required methods. The design of the volumes will st imulate interest in the extension of the various ins t rumenta l techniques to the solving of analytical problems. Thus , it is not only a book of recipes but also a source of inspiration for the analytical researcher. Essentially, while the book is directed toward the practising analyst , it should be within the reach of the analytical novice and most certainly it should be at the disposal of the research analyst . Some of the chapters—e.g., the electrometric and radioisotopic methods—could be considered in the na ture of an upper level analytical textbook with details and information of practical value too often lacking in those a t present available. However, there is a degree of oversimplification in some of the descriptions of ins t rumental methods inevitable in a treatise so comprehensive, and in such instances—e.g.,
Read Number-Average Molecular weight ia Miaules For speed and convenience in determining molecular weight (5,000 to 500,000 MW), you'll find it hard to steal a march on Hallikainen's Model 1361 Automatic Osmometer. Within 10 minutes of sample injection, osmotic pressure appears on a large digital counter within 0.01-cm accuracy over a 10-cm range. You can read four concentrations and calculate number-average molecular weight in less than an hour.
With a simple exchange of sample inlet funnels, Model 1361 can be used for both low (35°C) and high (135°C) temperature work. No need to invest in separate instruments.
The entire unit, including built-in chart recorder, occupies a trim 12x 15 χ 13-inch cabinet. For further information, write today for the informative four-page brochure.
HALLIKAINEN Instruments
750 National Court, Richmond, Cal. 94804 Respondents living outside North America, South America, and Japan are invited to address their inquiries to: Hallikainen Instruments Ltd., Black-wall Lane, Greenwich, London SE10, England.
Circle No. 110 on Readers' Service Card 70 A · ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
the polarographic section—an advanced supplementary text would be needed for a complete understanding of the scope of usefulness. In general, the bibliographies associated with each chapter are up to date and include in many cases much unpublished material.
In this reviewer's opinion, the two volumes accomplish the purpose for which they were written and indeed comprise one of the most effective and concise records of instrumental analytical techniques available. No practising analyst, particularly one in a supervisory position, or any research analytical chemist should be denied continued access to these two volumes.
Tracte Analysis: Physical Methods. George H. Morrison, ed. xx + S82 pages. Interscience Publishers, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 605 Third Ave., New York, Ν. Υ. 10016. 1965. $16. Reviewed by J. C. White, Analyti
cal Chemistry Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tenn.
"Happiness is different things to different people." So go the words to a popular tune, made even more ubiquitous by adaptation to a television commercial. The words are apropos to "trace analysis"·—different meanings to different people. Accordingly, if one is to write a suitable book on trace analysis, it behooves the author to state his objectives clearly and to develop them in a logical manner. Unless this goal is achieved, or at the least a strong effort made in this direction, a treatise on trace analysis will result in a hodgepodge of data and information of quite limited use to anyone in general or particular.
Professor Morrison is at the forefront in a relatively new field of analytical chemistry that presents a truly difficult challenge to analytical chemists. As professor of chemistry and director of analytical facilities of the Materials Science Center at Cornell University, he is intimately involved in the analysis of high purity materials. The book, however, is not directed entirely to pure materials. Professor Morrison has considered trace analysis from a wide perspective and has produced a well-planned, informative, and useful book to anyone involved in the many faceted aspects of trace analysis.
He persuaded a uniformly competent group of authorities to aid him in the task. This, in itself, is a strong attribute of the book. The individual authors have also written uniformly well; with the organization and editing by Professor Morrison, the result is a book that reads easily without the usual, almost expected jolts from chapter to
NEW BOOKS
chapter that characterize so many composite treatises.
Without disparaging the last eight chapters of the book, this reviewer was most impressed by the first four chapters. In the first Morrison and Skoger-boe discuss general aspects of trace analysis and point out the ubiquity of trace analysis. This chapter sets the tone of the entire book as it properly should. The next two chapters are extremely interesting ones.
Chapter 2 is written by Ν. Β. Han-nay of Bell Telephone Laboratories; Chapter 3 by W. II. Allaway of the U. S. Plant, Soil and Nutrition Laboratory. Hannay surveys the important physical and chemical effects of trace impurities on solids and correlates these effects with the analytical problems they cause. The net result is a discussion that demonstrates the necessity for the analytical chemist to be a full partner in the interdisciplinary materials research team. Allaway's chapter concerns, trace elements in biological systems. He too provides the background for the analytical problems that exist and conveys the reasons for the biologists' interest in trace elements. Thus these chapters present the raison d'etre for trace analysis which adds immensely to the effectiveness of the book.
Chapter 4 "Separations and Preeon-centrations" by A. Mizuike contains much practical information not usually found in such compilations. Analytical chemists will find this a most welcome chapter.
The remaining chapters are devoted to Spectrophotometry and Fluorometrjr (K. L. Cheng) ; Emission Spectrochemi-cal Methods (A. J. Mitteldorf) ; Flame Emission and Absorption Methods (R. P. Weberling and J. Γ. Casgrove) ; X-Ray Emission Spectrography (I. Adler and H. J. Rose, J r . ) ; Nuclear Methods (V. P. Guinn and II. R. Lukens, J r . ) ; Electrochemical Methods (J. K. Taylor, E. June Maicnthal, and G. Mari-nenko) ; Mass Spectrometry (John Roboz) and Xon-Specific Methods for Analysis of Solids (L. R. Weisberg). Essentially all of the information presented can be found in other books, of course in greater detail. The thoroughness of the discussion of the various techniques is sufficient, however, for this purpose. Most of the chapters contain a list of general references in addition to the usual copious specific references. These general references add much to the book.
The typography is first class and the book is free from errors. This reviewer found none but was not intentionally looking for any either. The book may be slanted toward trace analysis in materials research but Morrison does succeed in presenting a clear picture of
SPEED UP YOUR RESEARCH Just drop L/I Automatic REPIPETS*
and Automatic Dilutors into your reagent bottles. They'll dispense, transfer, mix, aspirate and dilute with a guaranteed accuracy of 1 % and 0.1 % reproducibility. Because these two automatic L/I instruments complete any operation in only a few seconds, you cut your analysis time 50-95 %, speeding up your research considerably.
L/I's versatile instruments handle any liquid—acids, alkalies, solvents and volatiles included—with viscosities as high as 45 centipoises. Because there's no drainage error, you'll get 1 % accuracy and 0.1 % reproducibility even with viscous liquids.
L/I instruments give you complete freedom from contamination, require no change in your methods, and never need cleaning. Integral air niters keep reagents pure. Volume? From microliters to deciliters.
Dilutors $89.50, including complete set of tips for highest precision in all ranges. REPIPETS $47.50. Immediate delivery in 1, 10, 20, and 50 ml sizes. Please write for details. «Trademark— (RKpelilive P.IPBTS)
LABINDUSTRIES 1802-A Second Street
Berkeley, California 94710 TH 3-0220, Cable LAB1ND Circle No. 54 on Readers' Service Card
VOL 38, NO. 13, DECEMBER 1960 · 7 7 A
Gas in a Flask
An increasing number of our customers are finding glass flasks the most convenient packaging for research experiments and other projects requiring the introduction of a small amount of gas into a system. Matheson can supply almost any gas in a borosilicate one-liter glass flask. (Exceptions are light sensitive gases and fluorine compounds.) The Matheson Catalog lists flask prices for Research Grade Gases. For information on other gases in glass flasks, phone or write the nearest Matheson Plant .
MATHESON P. O. Box 85, East Rutherford, New Jersey-Plants in East Rutherford, N.J.; Joliet, 111.; La Porte, Texas,· Morrow, Ga.; Newark, Calif/ Matheson of Canada, Whitby, Ont.
Circle No. 124 on Readers' Service Card
7 8 A · ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
NEW BOOKS
trace analysis. The book is recommended to all analytical chemists.
Photochemistry. Jack G. Calvert, James N. Pitts, Jr. xvii + 899 pages. Interscience Publishers, 60S Third Ave., New York, Ν. Y. 10016. 1966. $19.50. Reviewed by H. H. Richtol, De
partment of Chemistry, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N. J.
The time is certainly ripe for new books to appear on photochemistry, as is pointed out by the authors in the preface. This book is meant to serve as both a current textbook and a reference source for modern photochemistry, and succeeds admirably on both counts.
After a brief introductory chapter which will bo helpful to senior undergraduate and beginning graduate students, the next two chapters deal with the interaction of light with atoms and simple molecules. These two chapters begin with a survey of spectroscopy and then relate this area to primary photophysical processes, such as fluorescence, phosphorescence, energy transfer, etc. The primary photophysical processes are presented well in these chapters. A good introductorj' survey to mercury-photosensitized reactions is contained in the second chapter, and is documented nicely with diagrams and clear photochemical equations.
I found chapter 4 to be a particularly enjoyable chapter. It covers the primary photophysical processes of polyatomic molecules, and in the brief span of about HO pages, this chapter introduces one to the subject matter that is perhaps at the heart of current research in organic photochemistry. Students as well as more experienced research workers will find this coverage of the multitude of possible excited state processes to be particularly helpful.
Chapter 5 catalogs a large number of photochemical reactions according to their chromophoric groups. For each molecule surveyed, chemical equations are given as well as quantum yields and experimental conditions. The huge amount of photochemical information in this chapter is necessarily in abbreviated form, yet is concise and well documented. I strongly suspect that this chapter will be used more often for its reference material than any other chapter in the book.
Chapter 6 should be helpful to beginning students in photochemistry. I t deals with the experimental and kinetic information that one must obtain in order to determine the mechanism of a photochemical reaction. The authors indicate that the techniques discussed in this chapter do not represent the final word, but the need for a new and
unique experiment always exists. Finally, the last chapter is concerned
with the experimental tools of photochemistry. An excellent exposition is given on light sources, monochromators, filters, optics, and actinometers. The practical nature of this chapter should make it highly popular, and will frequently be referred to by young researchers.
The book appears to bo remarkably free of printing errors (I found only three) and the tables and figures are quite clear. Professors Calvert and Pitts obviously write with authority, and the subject matter chosen for emphasis and de-emphasis could not have been arrived at lightly. As a chemist, I invariably agreed with the authors' choice of subject matter. Topics on photobiology, photochemistry of the solid state, etc., were understandably given limited coverage. The book is well documented throughout, and contains over 1600 references. A special feature which will aid in the use of the book as a text are the problems at the end of most of the chapters.
This book is a welcome addition to the area of photochemistry, and will prove useful to people in allied fields as well.
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. James W. Robinson, xi -f- S04 pages. Marcel Dekker, Inc., 95 Madison Ave., New York, Ν. Υ. 10016. 1966. $9.75. Reviewed by R. Lockyer, Hilger
ù- Watts, Ltd., 98 St. Paneras Way, Camden Rd., London, N. W. 1, England.
In his preface, the author draws attention to the difficulty experienced in covering completely a subject, such as atomic absorption, in which fresh work is continually appearing. He is, I think, to be congratulated in achieving a very up-to-the-minute account.
Attention is rightly focussed on basic principles, but it is a pity that Chapter 2, which deals with equipment, does appear to suffer from oversimplifications, no doubt imposed by the need for brevity. For example (p. 10) the use of a flame as a source of free atoms is hardly to be attributed to a "blind spot." Russel, Shclton, and Walsh in their original paper (1957) pointed out that " . . . this problem of complete atomisa-tion seems the outstanding problem . . . ," but the fact is that in spite of all the efforts to find an effective substitute, the flame is still the most generally useful atomiser.
Although emissive electrodes (p. 21) are coated with alkaline earth carbonates during manufacture, these are not of course the actual emitters as they re-
NEW BOOKS
quire an activation procedure which probably converts them to nonstoi-chiometric oxides.
The principal advantage of a prism monochromator (p. 47) is the gain in energy obtained at short wavelengths, but the basic design problem with any monochromator is to make effective use of its theoretical performance—the extent to which it is attained is usually determined by the geometry of the absorption part of the experiment—i.e., the disposition of the source, burner, and associated lenses and stops. Instrument makers will hardly support the view (p. 52) that a double-beam system offers any financial advantage over a single beam, surely the cost of the extra optics far outweighs any saving on the electronics in these days of cheap stabiliser systems. These however arc minor criticisms. Chapters 3 and 4 on analytical parameters and applications, respectively, are exceedingly good. The section on recommended procedures is comprehensive and well documented. The descriptions of com·' mercial equipment are incomplete, but this is probably a criticism of the manufacturers' publicity departments rather than of the author!
Particularly welcome is Chapter 5 which deals with oscillator strengths, vacuum ultraviolet lines, and atomic fluorescence. This is up to date and most interesting..
The book as a whole is eminently readable and is well produced, being pleasingly free from typographical errors. The price, $9.75, seems a little high even by today's standards, and this may deter chemists from purchasing individual copies, but the book should, I think, find a place in all laboratories where atomic absorption techniques are used or contemplated.
NEW BOOKS
Mathematics for Scientists. Thor A, Bak, Jonas Lichtenberg. xiv + Jf87 pages. W. A. Benjamin, Inc., One Park Ave,., New York, Ν. Y. 10016. 1.966. $1,5. This book is directed to undergrad
uate and graduate students in science and engineering to strengthen their mathematical background and aid them in the use of mathematics for solving scientific problems.
The book is divided into three parts : the first part deals with vectors, tensors, and groups ; the second part treats functions of one and several variables; and the third part presents advanced
Value is a balance by Roller-Smith
The LG0500MG is the result of over man Density Balance and the 50 years experience in the precision balance field. And just one of 28 models made by Roller-Smith, ranging from 3 mg. to 50 grams. This complete line covers all applications, and includes a Universal Yarn Numbering Balance, a Ber-
unique Rosano™ Surface Tensio-meter. Prices? Remarkably reasonable. Remember: for precision balances, look to Roller-Smith first.
F P E ROLLER SMITH PRECISION BALANCES
Federal Pacific Erectric Co., 50 Paris Street, Newark, N. J .
Circle No. 2 on Readers' Service Card
RAPID EQUIPMENT
3CAN IR C O S T S B Y 9 5 %
Add this unique $ 2 2 5 accessory to your existing IR spectrophotometer, and . . . 1. O b t a i n i m m e d i a t e q u a l i t a t i v e c h r o m a t o g r a m s o f speci f ic funct ional groups in your GC samples. 2. Get the same in format ion suppl ied by high cos t rapid scan ins t ruments as you capture and scan vapor phase peaks individually. New 2 .5cc Heated Micro Gas Cell is designed fo r f l ow or s ta t ic vapor samples, operates t o 250°C and f i t s ali IR spec t ropho tometers . For cur rent technical detai ls plus in format ion on our comple te line o f GC-IR accessor ies, con tac t :
C A R L E I N S T R U M E N T S , I N C .
5 3 2 So. Rose St. , Anahe im, Calif. 9 2 8 0 5 (714) 5 3 3 - 4 6 0 0
Circle Να. 98 on Readers' Service Card
VOL. 38, NO. 13, DECEMBER 1966 ·, 79 A
Model LG0500MG,
• Range 500 mg. • Accuracy ± 1 . 0 mg.
• Tared capacity 1500 mg. • Magnetically dampened
• Only $290
REDUCE