BOOK REVIEWS

Chemistry and Technology of Water-Soluble Polymers. Edited by C. A . Finch. Plenum Press, New York 1984. xvi, 358 pp., bound $ 55.00.-ISBN 0-306-41251-9 According to the editor the aim of this book is to pro-

vide insight into the relationship between theoretical inves- tigations into water-soluble polymers and the industrial application of these products and to close the gap between empirical knowledge and theoretical background. I t is based on the manuscripts of the speakers at a seminar, which took place in Cambridge in 1981.

Some defects in the external form are a consequence of this. Diagrams, tables and formulas are heterogeneous in execution. A range of printing errors has crept into the text. Nor are the formulas free from errors. However, these formal defects are not so extensive that they impede the comprehension of the contents.

This book provides a diversified account in 19 chapters of the state of knowledge in the field of water-soluble po- lymers, whereby natural polymers are only treated peri- pherally. Alongside two review articles covering the chem- istry and application and the preparation of the polymers, there are four contributions concerned with individual ar- eas of application-medicine, flocculating agents, crude oil production, stabilization of dispersions. Contributions concerned with theoretical aspects are in the majority. The main emphasis is on the description of the polymers in so- lution, with contributions concerned with thermodyna- mics, rheology, interactions with solvents, with small mole- cules (salts, surfactants) and with polymers. A large amount of space is given to cross-linked systems which are no longer water-soluble in the true sense of the word, be- ing merely able to swell in water. A separate chapter is de- voted to their preparation by the cross-linking of soluble starting compounds, whereas unfortunately the other poly- mer-analogous reactions are practically ignored. There is a detailed treatment of the behavior of water-soluble poly- mers at the interface between water and dispersed solids and as protective colloids in emulsion and suspension po- lymerization.

With its copious literature citations this book stimulates to an enriching occupation with the primary literature and opens up a rapid access to the chemistry and technology of water-soluble polymers even for the non-specialist. All in all a volume worth recommending.

[ N B 684 IE] BASF AG, Ludwigshafen (FRG)

Hans-Helmut Giirtz, Jurgen Hartmann

Solid State Chemistry and its Applications. By A . R. West. Wiley, Chichester 1984, 734 pp., hardback, X 37.00.-

The author attempts to cover in around 700 pages that which is currently embraced by the concept of solid state chemistry. To define those aspects of the interdisciplinary field of solid state research which are of interest to chem- ists and principally dealt with by them is not an easy un- dertaking. In this the author succeeds remarkably well. In 21 chapters varying in length between 1 1 and 72 pages the following subjects are dealt with: preparative methods of solid state chemistry (reactions in the solid state, chemical transpolt, the use of pressure, hydrothermal synthesis,

ISBN 0-471-90377-9 (U. S.)

crystal growth), physical methods for characterizing mate- rials (divided into the subsections: diffraction techniques, microscopic techniques and spectroscopic techniques- separate chapters are devoted to thermal analysis and X- ray diffraction), principles of crystallography and crystal chemistry, the defect structure of crystalline solids, state diagrams, phase transformations and, finally, selected solid state properties that are of interest for practical appli- cation. This book is indeed the first that deserves the de- scription “Textbook of Solid State Chemistry”. The text- book character is emphasized not only by the selection of material but also by the manner of its presentation. Pat- terns of regular behavior, methods of investigation and general perspectives of solid state chemistry are handled to a large extent by means of examples in a clear form which is also comprehensible to non-specialists. The necessary simplifications are justifiable apart from some exceptions. One such exception, for example, is the treatment of phase transformations. Even at the qualitative level, a discussion which does not take account of the concept of “other pa- rameters” as introduced by Landau seems inadequate. The contents overlap considerably with monographs already available. This is inevitable, given the aims and layout of the book, but by no means problematic since the sources of information complement one another due to their different degrees of detail. At the end of each section is a compila- tion of carefully selected references to further literature which make it easier for the reader to investigate particular areas in more depth.

There are only a few printing errors. In some cases, how- ever, they distort the meaning and could mislead the be- ginner. The typeface is clear and the diagrams are compre- hensible without being used to excess.

The book may be recommended without reservation as a text for university teaching, though its high price may stand in the way of a larger readership.

Martin Jansen [NB 687 IE] Institut fur Anorganische Chemie der Universitat Hannover (FRG)

Amorphe und glasartige Festkorper. By A . Feltz. Akademie- Verlag, Berlin 1983. xix, 460 pp., bound, ca. DM 85.00.- Order No. 7630341 (6654). This book is a very important contribution to a field

much neglected in the minds of chemists: namely the study of amorphous and glass-like substances. This can be ex- plained by the fact that the field lies between those of mo- lecules and crystalline solids but does not fit into either. However, the technical implications of this class of materi- als are most important. This book will play a key role be- cause the author has succeeded in summarizing and criti- cally representing the present state of practical and theore- tical knowledge concerning amorphous and glass-like inor- ganic materials. The four main sections (the amorphous and glass-like state, material systems, properties, applica- tions) provide a wealth of information and are clearly ar- ranged. The lucidly formulated text is a witness to the per- sonal experience of the author in this field. This experi- ence has evidently provided the author with the capability of dealing with the wealth of material and the completely

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