BOOKS

turing processes (e.g. the synthesis of ethylene from methane by oxidative cou- pling). to new product types (e.g. fullere- nes). and to relevant developments in ba- sic science and technology (e.g. the use of pervaporation as a separation method for the removal of‘ alcohol from whisky).

The literature references and the data that are included are up-to-date. The few exceptions to this. for example in the chapter on “Azine Dyes” which includes no references later than 1987, and in that on energy management where the data on energy consumption by industry in the USA extend only up to 1988, only empha- size the general rule.

The illustrations (reaction schemes, di- agrams. etc.) are clear and well presented. Where necessary for clarity. use has been made of three-dimensional illustrations (e.g. i n descriptions of apparatus) or of color (e.g. in the chapter on color photog- rdphy). In contrast to the previous two volumes, the use of abbreviations has been reduced to a sensible level, and those used are fully explained.

To summarize. after looking through the first ten volumes it is clear that the fourth edition of Kirk-Othmer is again a work of reference o f world class. provid- ing expert and comprehensive coverage of the field ofchcniical technology. Libraries concerned u ith science and technology are recommended to buy it.

Frirdbert Necs BASF Aktiengesellschaft

Ludwigshafen (Germany)

Inorganic Experiments. Edited by J. D. Woollins. VCH Verlags- gesellschaft, Weinheim, 1994. 286 pp., hardcover DM 148.00.4SBN 3-527- 29235-7

The editor of this book. J. D. Woollins, has succeeded in enlisting no less than 71 authors from throughout the world as

contributors. The result is a collection of 64 laboratory recipes for prepara- tions to be carried out in inorganic chemistry student practical sessions. The experiments are grouped into three categories. described as ”introductory” (1 6), “intermediate” (23), and “advanced” (25). This classifi- cation is intended as a guide both to the learning content and to the need for spe- cialized apparatus. Most of the descrip- tions follow a set pattern, consisting of a short introduction, sometimes with an ex- planation of the teaching objective, a paragraph (highlighted) on safety precau- tions and health risks, the actual experi- mental procedure, and relevant literature references. Some of the experiments are valuable new material in works of this kind, for example those on the prepara- tions of siloxane polymers, of arsenium cations. and of liquid-crystalline metal complexes, and the magnetic studies on exchange coupling in bimetallic paramag- netic complexes. Highly topical experi- ments such as these cannot be found in standard works on preparative inorganic chemistry, such as Br~iuers H a n d h c h or Inorganic Sjwtlwres. On the other hand, some other experiments are “old friends”, such as the preparations of Fremy’s salt, ferrocene. and potassium peroxochro- mate. In his preface the editor explains that he deliberately avoided trying to in- troduce a uniform style. so as not to lose the lessons that can be drawn from com- paring the procedures in the various labo- ratories. Nevertheless, the book would have benefited from the imposition of a small degree of uniformity and editorial tidying-up. One occasionally encounters local peculiarities that are incomprehensi- ble, as when a glass beaker is cleaned by

using a “policeman”, when “methylated spirits” is used as a solvent. and where one is continually instructed to proceed “care- fully” or “cautiously” without a more specific explanation of what this means. The concentration of aqueous ammonia is specified in three different ways (in O/O, in vol, and as 0.880, the latter being pre- sumably the density). Some of the experi- ments described could only be performed in a small number of laboratories, such as the preparation of metal carbonyls by re- ductive carbonylation in an autoclave un- der CO a t high pressure. Some could not be carried out a t a l lbfor example. where one is instructed to condense 1.73 g of a gas from a pressurized vessel into a solu- tion maintained in a frozen state by liquid nitrogen, without explaining how such a precise dosage is to be achieved. Some of the experiments lack safety recommenda- tions, while for others there are no litera- ture references.

However, the descriptions of most of the experiments are good. The introduc- tions explaining the learning points, the exercise problems, and the notes on iden- tification of the products (mainly by spec- troscopy) are useful. Undoubtedly one of the book’s particular strengths is the topi- cality of many of the experiments in the “advanced” part. many of which are very attractive for use in advanced practical sessions. The book is of interest to all col- lege and university teachers and assistants responsible for practical classes in inor- ganic chemistry. Those interested in dis- covering what is being done in other labo- ratories, or who can benefit from a little gold-mine of ideas for new practical exer- cises, should certainly buy this book. However, many of the procedures need to be thoroughly checked before introducing them into one’s course.

Jokunt~es Beck Institut fiir Anorganische und Analytische Chemie

der Universitiit Giessen (Germany)

2565