ADVANCED ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

byG. W. Wheland, '28. John Wiley if Sons,1949. 799 Pages. $8.00.

Since the discover)' o£ the electron, about 1896, progress in the physical sciences has been extraordinarily rapid. During this period, not only have new facts appeared in ever increasing numbers, but, also, powerful theories have been developed which explain and coordinate much in the field of chemistry, and indicate the direction in which further valuable discoveries are likely to be made.

It is not surprising, therefore, for a textbook of advanced organic chemistry to be written, for students who have had only elementary courses in organic chemistry and physical chemistry, in an attempt to present a rather comprehensive and relatively nonmathematical treatment of the applications of classical and modern theories to the problems of structural organic chemistry. What is surprising is that the first text of this sort should be so excellent. Professor Wheland has covered, very ably, most of the types of phenomena occurring in organic chemistry that are important, and in a way that should leave the student with a very satisfactory modern understanding of each topic considered. The presentation is clear, logical and thorough to an extent that is refreshing. It will no doubt be desirable for the student taking this course to have become familiar with some elementary features of modern theories, and to have had some experience in applying them to simple phenomena in the field of organic chemistry.

Professor Wheland's decision to write this text was particularly fortunate for he has long been an outstanding student of modern theories, and of organic chemistry, and his researches have contributed markedly to our present understanding of many phenomena in the organic field.