238 JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS INORGANIC CHEMISTRY IN NON-AQUEOUS SOLVENTS A. K. Holliday and A. G. Massey Pp. viii q- 143 q- Ill. (1965). Pergamon Press, London. 17/6. In their preface the authors state that this book is intended for undergraduate chemistry students, including those at "A" and "S" levels, and for the non-specialist student. It is also suggested as an introductory work for research students who wish to use non-aqueous systems. There is no doubt that the book largely achieves these aims. There is a general introduction describing solution processes and giving definitions. This is followed by two chapters on liquid ammonia and reactions in liquid ammonia. Methods of manipulation of the solvent are described and reaction mechanisms explored. There is a short section on other anhydrous amines. Protonic solvents, including sulphuric acid, are described in a chapter which also deals with the relative strengths of acids and bases. Two further chapters are devoted to non-protonic solvents and the properties and uses of fused salts as solvents and reaction media. The book is in all parts readable and avoids catalogues of reactions. Analytical applications of non-aqueous solvents are included as parts of the text and not as a single section. Evidence for structures and mechanisms is well presented and experimental techniques are dealt with in sufficient detail to make this a good bench handbook where non-aqueous and fused salt systems are in use. For those readers requiring more specialized information there is a short list of recommended further reading at the end of each chapter. It is a pity that solvent systems such as hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen sulphide and nitrosyl chloride are not described and the index could have been fuller, but as a general introduction to the subject this paperback has much to recommend it. G.S. INGRAM. POLYMER TECHNOLOGY. D.C. Miles and J. H. Briston. Pp. xi + 444 + Ill. (1965). Chemical Publishing Co., New York. $12.50. This is the U.S. edition of an earlier U.K. text-book, originally intended for students seeking the Graduateship of the Plastics Institute, and to which had been added chapters on synthetic natural and modified rubber. The book is written in a simple unaffected style commendable to the student, whilst the self-contained chapters and generally adequate index render information readily accessible to casual consultation. It is well illustrated including 32 photographs and innumerable neat block diagrams chemical formulae are tidily set and errors are rare. The "Introduction" includes suitable definitions and discusses in general terms polymerization reactions- distinguishing between addition, copolymerization and condensation mechanisms. There is also a short review of the development of the plastics industry. Raw materials are classified into natural products (including celluloses, proteins and exudates) and those derived from coal and from petroleum. The coverage, although superficial, is adequate and moreover is conveniently tabulated for tutorial purposes. Part II, the major portion of the book, gives detailed attention to thermoserring polymers (phenol and amine derivatives, poly- esters, epoxy resins, silicones and polyurethanes), thermoplastics (homo- and copolymers of unsaturated momomers and halogenated functions), natural polymers

BOOK REVIEWS 239 .and natural, modified and synthetic rubbers. Recent work with inorganic and metallo-organic polymers is briefly reviewed. The function of, knd optimum require- ments for, structural components such as plasticizers, extenders, stabilizers, chelating agents and antioxidants, are examined and a final chapter considers the choice and .effect of fillers, colorants, flame retardants, blowing agents and uv absorbants. In Part III, five groups of techniques are described: For thermoserring plastics- compression and transfer moulding for thermoplastics - extrusion, injection and blow moulding, thermoforming and miscellaneous processes such as calendering, coating .and welding. The final Part begins with a section indicating the variety of available physical- including electrical- test methods, without giving procedural details this section might well have been expanded. There is then a useful qualitative scheme that summarizes familiar flame, odour and appearance tests, with generally satis- factory chemical confirmatory methods for each type of polymer. In the past one has generally perforce relied upon specialist monographs or manu- facturers' handbooks to keep abreast of developments with new polymers or new production techniques. This book bridges the gap between such publications and •cumbersome multi-author compendia. It is not only chemical engineers and plastics technologists who will profit from this comprehensive work- any worker concerned with the industrial application of polymers is likely to find useful guidance whilst the specialist seeking further details is given specific suggestions for advanced reading. G. F. PHILLIPS. THE CHEMICAL CONSTITUTION OF NATURAL FATS. T. P. Hilditch and P. N. Williams. 4th edn. Pp. xv q- 745 q- Ill. (1964). Chapman © Hall, London. 150s. (U.K. only). During the eight years which have elapsed since the publication of the third edition of "Hilditch," spectacular advances have been made in separational analytical techniques, especially gas chromatography, and nowhere has the effect of this been more apparent than in the field of natural oils and fats. The result has been a massive influx of information on chemical constitution necessitating extensive revision and rewriting. Professor Hilditch was joined in the preparation of the fourth edition by Dr. P. N. •Villiams. The basic plan of the volume remains the same, the changes being in the balance of the various sections and in the amount of detailed information included, to a large extent in tabular form. The contents may be best summarized by listing the chapter headings: I: Introductory survey of natural fats. II: III: IV: V: VI: VII: VIII: IX: X: The component acids of fats of aquatic flora and fauna. The component acids of fats of land animals. The component acids of vegetable fats. The component glycerides of natural fats: general survey. The component glycerides of individual vegetable fats. The component glycerides of individual animal fats. Some aspects of the biosynthesis of fats. Constitution of individual natural fatty acids. Synthetic glycerides: naturally occurring fatty alcohols: acyl ethers of glycerol.