book reviews

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modynamics that can be recommended for use in the undergraduate chemistry curriculum.

book reviews

Douglas Poland luminated hy noting that in ten chapters, including an introductory one, the author discusses over 90 topics in just aver 190 pages. I do not think that this mini-encyclopedic approach will he useful to undergraduate students in chemistry or to their teachers. The topics are clearly presented, the illustrations are interesting, and the references and index are useful. However, it seems to me that the most appropriate place for this hook would he in a n A.C.S. short course fbr graduate chemists and engineers interested in a rapid introduction and practical view of the field. Ira Blei The College of Stale" Island Slaten Island, NY 10301

Molecular Thermodynamics

J H. Knox, John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1977. Figs. & tables. 23.5 X 15.5cm. xv 264 pp. $14.95.

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This is a revised edition of a work first published in 1971. The hook is divided into two parts. The first begins with an overview and a review of pertinent notions from quantum and classical mechanics. This is followed by a short review of classical thermodynamics (it may disturb American chemists, but I am delighted that the author uses U and F , respectively, to represent the internal energy and the Helmholtz free energy). The partition function is then introduced and the connection between the energy levels of quantum mechanics and the functionsof thermodynamics is made (the author does not use the standard method of unde-

rostates with the same energy). The second part of the book treats the conventional subjects covered in a discussion of the statistical thermodynamics of independent molecules-partition functions for translation., rotation.~ and vibration. the . Einstein crvstal. the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution law, and finally, chemical equilibrium. There is quite a hit of detail in the discussion of molecular partition functions For example, in the treatment of rotation, moment of inertia calculations are presented in detail. This book is clearly very well suited for a iunior or senior level ohvsieal chemistrv course where a solid introduction to statisti~ eal thermodynamics is desired. It is not suitable for a graduate level course in statistical mechanics in that i t uses only the canonical partition function and does not treat interaetingsystems a t all. It covers about the same ground as L. K. Nash's "Elements of Statistical Thermodynamics" (AddisonWesley, 1973: Second Edition). The present work is about 100 pages longer than Nash's hook and is somewhat more detailed. Also, it contains a discussion of transition state theory which Nash's hook does not. This is an attractive, well-written, if conventional, introduction to statistical ther~

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A242 1 Journal of Chemical Education

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The Johns Hcpkins UNfversity Baltimore. MD 2 12 18

Chemlstry of Catalytic Processes Editors Bruce C. Gates, James R. Ketzer,

G.C. A. Sehuit, McCraw-Hill Book Company, New York, 1978. Figs. & tables. 24 X 17 cm. ix 464 pp.

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This book, published in the McGraw-Hill Chemical Engineering Series, describes a selection of industrial catalytic pruceuses. The treatment of each process is fairly comprehensive, covering both the fundamental chemistry, the probable reaction mechanisms, and the engineering design of practical reactors. As a consequence of this coverage, some background in hoth chemistry and chemical engineering is required of the reader. The required level in chemistry is a t about the senior, or possibly junior, undergraduate level. The discussions of reactor theory given in the book presuppose some prior acquaintance with this subject and, indeed, the authors recommend that the reader with no background in this area firit work through some elementary text such as Denbigh and Turner's "Chemical Reactor Theory" or Russell and Denn's "Introduction to Chemical Engineering Analysis." But the detailed reactor theory of the various pmcesses occupies a relatively small fraction of the hook, and even without the engineering background, achemist can understand most of the material presented. The material covered is divided into five relatively long chapters, each covering a particular class of industrial processes, i.e., catalytic cracking, catalysis by transitionmetal a,mpleues, catalytic reforming, partial oxidation of hydrocarbons (as illustrated by ammoxidation, the oxidation of mixtures of propylene and ammonia to aerybnitrile) and hydrudesulfurization (the removal of sulfur fmm petroleum products by reaction with hydrogen to form H&). The various catalytic processes are illustrated with several examples, each discussed in considerable detail. The authors discuss side reactions in addition to the main reaction and give the generally accepted mechanisms. In discussing the heterogeneous catalysts the authors go a t some length into the structures of the catalytic substrates and also describe the postulated structures of the surface reacticm in^ termediates and the surface reaction steps. The hook summarizes a wealth of data, hoth structural and kinetic, on hoth practical catalytic systems and model systems. Extensive references to the original literature are provided in support of the data and the interpretations of those data quuted in the hook. Unfortunately, though, a large numher of references are to the Journal of Catolvsir

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The authors state in the preface that the final manuscript evolved from notes for a graduate course and a one-week short course given by them in the Department of Chemical Engineering a t the University of Delaware. The book could be used as a text for acourse in catalysis since it contains a selection of problems a t the end of each chapter. But, in the opinion of this reviewer, the content is somewhat too specialized for use as the main text for a course in a department of chemistry, although it would be interesting supplementary reading. However, in view of the universal importance of catalytic processes in the heavy chemical and petroleum industries, and in view of the fact that many chemistry graduates ultimately find employment in these industries, the hook would he an important addition to any college chemistry library. Without question it is up to date in its discussion of industrial catalytic processes and the treatment strikes a fine balance hetween fundamental and applied chemistry. Some of the material from the haok could he introduced into college chemistry courses a t all levels to give the student a hrtter feeling for modern industrial practice. John Overend University of Mionesol6 Minneapolis. MN 55455

Phase Transfer.Catalysis-Principles Techniques

and

Charles M. Stnrks and Chorles Liotta, Academic Press, 1978. Figs. & tables. 23.5 X 16 cm. v 365 pp. $38.00.

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One of the fastest erowine areas in the p n e n ~ tirid l i t