question arises whether further treatment after such a short time is justified. In spite of considerable overlap between the two articles the reviewer accepts the duplication: first, be- cause elucidiation of substitution of this type is in very rapid development (90 % of the experimental contributions belong to the last ten years); and, secondly, because of the extra- ordinary thoroughness of Shepherd and Fedrick’s article (about 800 references). The good repute that “Advances in Heterocyclic Chemistry” earned by the first three volumes will certainly not be dimin- ished by Volume 4.

Th. Kauffmann [NB 496 IE]

Agar Gel Electrophoresis. By R . J . Wieme. Elsevier Publishing Company, Amsterdam-London-New York 1965. 1st edit., 425 pp.. 116 figs., 25 tables, bound, D M 61.50 (about

An explanation of the physical basis of electrophoresis and a review of suitable gels are followed by a description of the methods used in practice for zone electrophoresis on agar gel, e.g. fully enclosed gel and agar plates that contain a layer of agar gel or agar sol. Analytical electrophoresis is the kernel of the exposition, which describes in detail the methods used with agar plates. Three types are differentiated: electro- phoresis with a voltage drop of 5 V/cm or of 15 V/cm, and electrophoresis in liquid agar sol. The literature is compre- hensively and critically surveyed, so that this monograph serves as a handbook of methods. Moreover, analysis of the pherograms is explained in detail: localization of the zones in dried agar film by physical and, particularly, by chemical methods (specific color reactions) and their quantitative evaluation are treated in detail. In addition the interesting methods for localization of substances having enzymatic properties are described, and finally precipitation by anti- serum (immuno-electrophoresis). In conclusion an exposition of the application of agar plate methods for the separation of a diversity of substr tes occupies 171 pages, particular at- tention being naturally p id to proteins and enzymes. The author’s wide experience is eviden in many sections of the book. All who use electrophoresis will benefit from read- ing this excellent book and it is to be hoped that it will help to show the enquiring research worker the manifest advantages of agar gel electrophoresis. For the next edition, which can be confidently anticipated, the reviewer would like to express a few wishes: The methods used with agar plates (normal voltage, high voltage, and agar sols) are carefully described under these three variants, and it would be very useful if the relative results achieved by them were explained for electro- phoresis of one normal serum, with illustrations of the colored pherogram and also of the usual protein diagram. There is no one ideal method of electrophoresis - each meth- od has its advantages and disadvantages, whose relative im- portance is determined in part by the problem set. The present book enables the advantages of agar gel electrophoresis to be exploited, and thanks are due to the author for describing his field of work.

W . Bockerniiller [NB 497 IE]

$15.-).

Organic Reaction Mechanisms. By R . Breslow. W. A. Ben- jamin, Inc., New York-Amsterdam 1965. 1st edit. ix + 232 pp., numerous figs., paperback $4.35.-, bound $7.10.

The gap between a textbook and the original literature is great. For a study of organic reaction mechanisms this gap can be bridged by R . Breslo w’s original and didactically success- ful contribution. In seven chapters (Bonding in Organic Com- pounds ; Reaction Mechanisms and Reaction Rates ; Nucleo- philic Aliphatic Substitution; Ionic Elimination and Addition Reactions; Aromatic Substitution; Reactions of Carbonyl Compounds; Reactions Involving Free Radicals) the reader is introduced to nearly all the basic facts and aspects of reaction mechanism. Even difficult subjects, such as MO treatment of conjugated compounds, transition state theory, electronegativity, hybridization, and general acid catalysis

are presented simply and clearly. The experiments on which theory is based are always emphasized. The discussions of “special topics” which follow each chapter include the most recent advances and familiarize the reader with such research areas as Hiickel’s rule, enzyme catalysis, carbonium ion rearrangements, cycloadditions, x-complexes and aromatic substitution, redox reactions, and polar kffects in radical reactions. Production and formulae, with a few exceptions (p. 224), are excellent. As regards content, exception can be taken only to the identification of resonance with valence bond theory on p. 9, for according to HeilbronnBi the former is closer to MO theory. Students will benefit from this book in their preparation for advanced ex inations, and all others for refreshing their memory, since only textbook knowledge of organic and phy- sical chemistry is required. An attraction, but also a problem, of the book is the brief, concise presentation: this makes read- ing it a pleasure, but is too demanding for the beginner.

C. Riichardt [NB 500 IE]

Fortschritte der Arzneimittelforschung [Advances in Drug Research]. Vol. 8. Edited by E. Jucker. Birkhauser Verlag, Basel-Stuttgart 1965. 1st edit., 530 pp., numerous figs. and tables, bound, D M 115.- (about $29.-).

This volume, like earlier ones, contains comprehensive re- views of problems in drug research. G . Woolfe devotes 42 pages to “The Chemotherapy of Amo- ebiasis”. After a short introduction to the test methods used in vivo and in vitro, there is a discussion of the chemistry, pharmacology, and clinical use of emetine and the newer ef- fective antibiotics and chemotherapeutic substances (Paromo- mycin, Biallylamicol, Entobex, Mantomid, Diloxanide, and Mebinol). Although the new substances represent an ad- vance for the physician and the patient, emetine and dehydro- emetine are still essential for extraintestinal infections (198 references). - “Biochemical Effects of Drugs Acting on the Central Nervous System” are reviewed by L. Decsi in 100 pages. The first part is devoted to metabolism in the central nervous system and chemical transport. There follows a dis- cussion of the biochemical action of substances that excite or depress the central nervous system. The final discussion indi- cates that there is as yet no satisfactory conclusion in spite of the extremely large number of publications in this field (1841 references). H . Uehleke reviews “Biological Oxidation and Reduction on Nitrogen of Aromatic Amino and Nitro Compounds” in 62 pages. The mechanism and reaction products are discussed first. The second section deals with the toxic action of the products, and in particular with the formation of methemo- globin and with the role the products can play in cancer for- mation by carcinogenic aromatic amines (473 references).- “Narcotic Antagonists” are reviewed by S. Ascher and L. S . Harris (58 pages). They report first on the chemistry of anta- gonists to morphine and substances of similar activity. After a short discription of the methods usually used to determine antagonist action, attention is directed to the relations be- tween chemical structure and activity and to the pharmaco- logy and clinical use. This review (223 references) closes with a criticism of the receptor theory as explanation for the effect. - M. W. Whitehouse devotes 106 pages to a comprehensive review of “Some Biochemical and Pharmacological Proper- ties of Anti-Inflammatory Drugs”, referring to the often un- solved problems of the pathology and therapy of “rheu- matic”diseases. A short introduction on the experimental methods of testing anti-inflammatory or antirheumatic ac- tivity is followed by a discussion of presently known effects on the biochemistry of the organism and of relations between chemical constitution and activity. A review of the known changes in the biochemistry of the organism due to rheu- matic diseases, and consideration of the conclusions that can be drawn from the results reported, close this contribution (404 references).

854 Angew. Chem. internat. Edit. VoI. 5 (1966) / No. 9

The aim of J. A . Montgomery in his article “On the Chemo- therapy of Cancer” was to discuss the types of substance studied (alkylating agents, antimetabolites, hormones, anti- biotics, plant extracts) and to relate their constitution to their activity so far as possible. A section on the therapy and its problems closes the review (68 pages, 496 references). - An extensive subject index, and cumulative indexes of authors and articles in the series, make this volume a useful reference work. The production, with the very numerous structural formulae, is excellent, as in previous volumes.

0. Scltnr(mann [NB 493 IE]

Kunststoff-Handbuch. Aufbau, Verarbeitung, Eigenschaften und Anwendung der synthetischen Werkstoffe (Handbook of Synthetic Industrial Materials. Structure, Processing, Properties, and Applications). Edited by R . Vieweg and 14 co-editors for the single volumes. Carl Hanser Verlag, Munchen. Vol. 111 : Abgewandelte Naturstoffe (Modified Natural Products). Edited by R . Viewegand E. Becker. 1965. xv + 470 pp.. 237 figs., 80 tables, linen D M 98.- (about S25.-); on subsctiption to the complete work, DM 79 (about S 20.-).

Well-known specialists here report on a field which often is, quite unjustifiably, somewhat neglected in discussions of syn- thetic industrial materials, namely on materials derived by modification from natural sources such as wood, cellulose, and casein. Although the production of these materials has

not increased as rapidly as that of synthetic resins and plas- tics, their significance (yearly production over 100000 tons in Germany alone) can by no means be overlooked. The greater part of this book is devoted, as expected, to the derivatives of cellulose. Who would want to do without Vulcanized Fiber, cellulose glass, celluloid, acetylcellulose, and other esters and ethers of cellulose? All these are treated by competent specia- lists who give a clear and easily grasped presentation of their chemical technology, properties, processing, and applications. The chapter on injection molding compositions of cellulose esters is particularly well written. In the otherwise excellent treatment of cellulose ester films the coverage of the non- German literature is somewhat scanty. As a general principle as much literature should he cited in such compilations as possible, since the documentation of artificial resins and plas- tics is not yet developed to a satisfactory extent. The sections on laminated woad and artificial horn, materials produced in smallezamounis smce they can be formed only by cutting, round the book off very well. Like Volume II’(on polyvinyl chloride) “1, this book also well meets the needs of resea ch and technology. Chemists, physi- cists; and engineers interested in the scientific aspects, as well as procesing and applications engineers, can gain valuable information from this volume on behavior, uses, and proper- ties of this class of synthetic materials.

0. Horn [NB 499 IE]

[ I ] Cf. Chemie-Ing. Techn. 36, 1341 (1964).

Registered names, trademarks, err. used in this journal, even without specific indication thereof, are not fo be considered unprotected by law. Q 1966 by Verlag Chemie, GmbH. - Printed in Germany by Druckerei Winter, Heidelberg. All rights reserved. No part of this journal may be reproduced in any form whatsoever, e.x. by photoprint, microfilm, or any other means, without written permission from the publishers. Editorial Olfice: Ziegelhauser Landstrasse 35. D-69 Heidelberg, Germany, Telephone 24975, Telex 461 855 kemia d, Cable address: Chemieredaktion Heidelberg. Chief Editor: W. Foerst . Editor: H. Grlinewald. Publishers : Verlag Chemie GmbH. (President Eduard Krezrzhage), Pappelallee 3 , Weinheim/Bergstr., Germany, and Academic Press Inc. (President Walter J. Johnson), 1 I 1 Fifth Avenue, New York 3, N.Y., U.S.A., and Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square, London, W. 1, England. Correspondence concerning advertisements should be addressed to Verlag Chemie, GmbH. (Advertising Manager W.ThieI), Pappelallee 3, Weinheiml Bergstr., Germany, Telephone Weinheim 3635, Telex 46 55 16 vchwh. Cable address: Chemieverlag Weinheimbergstr.

Angew. Client. internat. Edit. Val. 5 (1966) , No. 9 855