A Refreshing Look at NMR - ACS Publications

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BOOKS

A Refreshing Look at NMR A Handbook of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. Ray Freeman, xiii + 312 pp. John Wiley & Sons, 605 Third Ave., New York, NY 10016.1987. $49.95 Reviewed by Cecil Dybowski, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716 To those who regularly attend the Experimental NMR Conference, it will come as no surprise that Ray Freeman's book is not only an informative exposition by a master of the craft, but also a refreshing look at the nuances of NMR spectroscopy in the inimitable Freeman style. Its charm and warmth ever present, the book seems more like a series of chats with an old friend than a monograph. The encyclopedic structure of the book and the use of fanciful cartoons provide a new approach to understanding an idiosyncratic, jargonladen subject. Mathematics are kept to a minimum, and the author compiles a lexicon of phrases by using relaxed, comfortable language. The references are sparse, but they direct the reader to the appropriate literature (with the exception of two references to "unpublished work" and a "private communication," which provide the reader with nothing substantial). The promise to limit acronyms is laudable but difficult to carry out. The proliferation of these banal little beasts seems to arise from the peculiar notion rampant in some circles that development of a suitably lewd oral shorthand is a feat of intellectual prowess. In truth, their use merely exacerbates the confusion of novices and professionals alike. Unfortunately, Ray Freeman cannot completely avoid them and the attendant obfuscation, as when he introduces GARP-1 at the end of the entry entitled "Broadband Decoupling" with little explanation. Given its lack of broadly defined chapters, the book is more akin to a dictionary than a monograph; the entries are too numerous to list. Almost any phrase relating to NMR spectroscopy of liquids and solutions can be found between the covers. Those topics

not included as entries are adequately indexed to allow one to find related entries quickly. In one case (INDOR), the index is alphabetized incorrectly, but otherwise it is complete. There is one notable deliberate exclusion: entries dealing with NMR spectroscopy of solids (except certain phrases having application to liquids and solids as well). One can only hope that the exclusion is not meant to imply that obtaining spectra of solids is insolvent, but rather that most spectroscopists obtain spectra of solids in solvents. Over the years Freeman has done a great service to NMR spectroscopists by demonstrating that the exercise of creative talent in science need not be restricted to bland recitation of facts. This book continues that tradition and demonstrates his significant technical contributions. Whether one buys it for the ingenious cartoons of Valeria Pétrone (which I suspect many do); for the lucid, witty treatment of an esoteric subject (which I suspect many do); or for both reasons, this volume will surely reside wherever NMR spectroscopy and intellectual curiosity cohabit.

Characterization of Proteins. Felix Franks, Ed. xix + 561 pp. Humana Press, Crescent Manor, P.O. Box 2148, Clifton, NJ 07015.1988. $69.50 Reviewed by John Ford, Department of Chemistry, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA 15705 Although the title suggests that this text is a compendium of techniques for the isolation and biochemical and physical characterization of individual proteins, the editor's goal is to provide " . . . a unified approach to several essential aspects of protein technology: classifications of protein function, both in situ and in the form of isolates, criteria that govern in vitro protein stability limits, methods of detection, isolation and separation from nanogram to tonne quantities, analysis in situ and in the isolated state, and the technology of protein processing for the produc-

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tion of stable preparations for clinical, agricultural, or industrial use." What has been produced is an overview of proteins and the procedures for their analysis and isolation. The material presented frequently serves only as an introduction to any given topic. Spectroscopic methods are treated briefly in the chapter on solution properties of proteins—short shrift for such powerful tools. Such current techniques as laser Raman and quasi-elastic light scattering are entirely absent, as is nearly any mention of the chemical modifications possible, although several potentially powerful separation techniques such as fieldflow fractionation and capillary zone electrophoresis are presented. The lack of depth is understandable given the breadth of topics covered. Still, I would have appreciated a more critical approach to the chosen topics. Lacking the thorough coverage of a review, the potential value as an introductory text is diminished by literature references predominantly from pre1980; I found only four citations from 1985 to 1986 and relatively few from 1980 to 1984. Considering the recent, rapid developments in such topics as membrane receptors and analytical liquid chromatography, this coverage is nearly unacceptable. Furthermore, the unification of topics is weak. For example, although the reversed-phase, ion-exchange, affinity, and size-exclusion chromatographic modes are presented in a single chapter, no discussion is presented to aid the reader in understanding the common aspects of protein chromatographic behavior vis à vis small molecules. Likewise, little information is presented to allow the novice to choose between chromatography and the other separation techniques presented. Additionally, the proofreading of the text was poor. In particular, Chapter 3 refers to nonexistent later chapters and the text refers to several figures that have been omitted. Such shoddy production detracts greatly from the readability. However, these problems occur only in Chapter 3; I found no significant problems with the rest of the text. Characterization of Proteins does

BOOKS not achieve the editor's goal, nor is it suitable for a first course on proteins. Despite these shortcomings, this book does serve a valuable purpose. It pro­ vides, in a form suitable for the nonspecialist, much useful information on protein structure, analytical and pre­ parative protein isolation techniques, and a survey of some fascinating areas of protein function (e.g., receptors, hor­ mones, and cyclic regulation). The chapter on plant protein isolates for the food industry is an interesting in­ sight into an industrially important al­ beit little publicized field. Although I cannot recommend personal acquisi­ tion, the overview nature of the text makes it worthwhile reading for any chemist starting to work with proteins.

Books Received HPLC In Food Analysis. 2nd ed. R. Ma­ crae, Ed. xiv + 502 pp. Academic Press, 1250 Sixth Ave., San Diego, CA 92101. 1988. $37 This 13-chapter book includes sections on the theory and practice of high-per­ formance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography/mass spec­ trometry as well as chapters on the de­ termination of carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, food additives, synthetic food colors, natural pigments, mycotoxins, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, nitrosamines, pesticide residues, and amino acids in foods. An 11-page index is included. Flow Perturbation Gas Chromatogra­ phy. N. A. Katsanos. 320 pp. Marcel Dekker, 270 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016.1988. $99.75 This six-chapter book is Volume 42 in the Chromatographic Science Series. Both stopped-flow and reversed-flow techniques are covered, and an eightpage index is included. Complexation Reactions In Aquatic Systems. An Analytical Approach. J .

Buffle, χ + 692 pp. John Wiley & Sons, 605 Third Ave., New York, NY 10010. 1988. $145 This 10-chapter book discusses compo­ nents of aquatic systems, natural or­ ganic matter, aquatic organic com­ pounds, complexation equilibria, ho­ mologous complexants, in situ distribution of chemical species, potentiometric methods, voltammetric methods, and nonelectrochemical methods. The references are from the 1970s and early 1980s. An index and an extensive reference section also are provided.

Computation of Solution Equilibria. A Guide to Methods in Potentiometry, Ex­ traction, and Spectrophotometry. M.

Meloun, J. Havel, and E. Hogfeldt. χ + 297 pp. John Wiley & Sons, 605 Third Ave., New York, NY 10016. 1988. $69.95 This nine-chapter book makes exten­ sive use of information published earli­ er in Czech. The latest reference is from 1986; few are from the 1980s. Illustra­ tive problems are included at the end of each chapter. The Facts on File Dictionary of Chemis­ try (revised and expanded edition). John Daintith, Ed. 249 pp. Facts on File Publications, 460 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016.1988. $20 This dictionary is intended primarily for use by chemistry and other science students, but it also can be useful to science-oriented professionals. It lists everything from compounds and ele­ ments to equipment, processes, and principles. Diagrams are provided where appropriate. The appendix con­ tains tables listing atomic masses, physical constants, elementary parti­ cles, and others. Cross-referencing is also provided. Aqueous Size-Exclusion Chromatogra­ phy. P. L. Dubin, Ed. Elsevier Science Publishers, P.O. Box 1663, Grand Cen­ tral Station, New York, NY 10163. 1988. $145 This 14-chapter book is volume 40 in the Journal of Chromatography series. It covers size-exclusion parameters, partitioning, electrostatic effects, ex­ clusion chromatography of inorganic compounds, pore size distributions, column efficiency, new packings, biopolymers, and applications. The refer­ ences are from the 1970s and early 1980s. An index is included. Radiochemlstry. C. Keller. 208 pp. John Wiley & Sons, 605 Third Ave., New York, NY 10016.1981. $70 This 10-chapter book is intended as a student text and as a sourcebook. It covers nucleonics, radioactivity, inter­ action of radiation with matter, nuclear radiation, nuclear reactions, interac­ tions between the nucleus and the elec­ trons, nuclear transformations, radio­ active elements, nuclear energy, and radionuclides. This English edition is translated from the original German edition, Radiochemie, published in 1981 by Verlag Maritz Diesterweg GmbH and Company. Chapter exer­ cises, solutions, a bibliography, and an index are included.

Introduction to Microscale High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. Daido Ishii, Ed. xiii + 208 pp. VCH Publish­ ers, 220 East 23rd Street, Suite 909, New York, NY 10010.1988. $60 This seven-chapter book contains sec­ tions on instrumentation, columns, de­ tectors, hyphenated systems, postcolumn derivatization, and applica­ tions. The references are from the 1970s and early 1980s. Analytical Applications of Spectrosco­ py. C. S. Creaser and A.M.C. Davies, Eds. xiv + 488 pp. Royal Society of Chemistry, Burlington House, Picca­ dilly, London W1V OBN. 1988. $99 This book is a collection of papers pre­ sented at the Spectroscopy Across the Spectrum conference held in conjunc­ tion with the International NearInfrared Spectroscopy Conference in the United Kingdom in July 1987. The book contains sections on near-IR, IR, NMR, atomic and UV-visible spec­ troscopy, mass spectrometry, chemometrics, and data analysis. The sec­ tions contain applications papers on everything from food to polymers to ruminant digestion. The references are from the 1970s and early 1980s. Archaeometry. An Introduction to Phys­ ical Methods in Archaeology and the History of Art. Ulrich Leute. xi + 176 pp. VCH Publishers, 220 East 23rd Street, Suite 909, New York, NY 10010. 1987. $25 This book is an introduction to the methods and measurements aspect of archaeology. Topics covered include prospection, dating methods, charac­ terization, computers, and contribu­ tions of the various sciences. The refer­ ences are from the 1970s and early 1980s. The Determination of Trace Metals in Natural Waters. T. S. West and the late H. W. Niirnberg, Eds. xviii + 362 pp. Blackwell Scientific Publications, 3 Cambridge Center, Suite 208, Cam­ bridge, MA 02142.1988. $53 This book was conceived and coordi­ nated by the Analytical Chemistry Di­ vision of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. The chapters cover spectrophotometric, fluorometric, electronparamagnetic, luminescence, and voltammetric meth­ ods; atomic, mass, and X-ray spectrometric methods; neutron activation analysis; pH; trace metals complexation; adsorption; speciation; and chemical mechanisms. The references are from the 1970s and early 1980s.

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