438

Structural Methods in Inorganic Chemistry, by E. A. V. Ebsworth, D. W. H.

Rankin and S. Cradock, Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1987, pp. 456,
price $29.50 (cloth), 613.50 (paperback).

Thirty-five years ago, a research worker faced with a structural problem

was in a weak position. Today, the task is much simpler since one can use
a whole range of physical techniques. It is absolutely essential that modern
chemists know about these techniques and that they understand the under-
lying principles. This book, intended for senior undergraduate and research
students, describes in a first rate manner the large range of physical and
structural techniques currently available in well equipped laboratories. A
sufficiently broad view, uncluttered by detail, is provided for NMR, ESR,
NQR, rotational and vibrational spectroscopy, electronic and photoelectron
spectroscopy, Mossbauer spectroscopy, diffraction methods and mass spec-
trometry. Sufficient information is given to enable the reader to interpret
experimental data and copious references are given to more detailed treat-
ments. In addition to these technique orientated chapters, a valuable appen-
dix is given which contains a description of group theory.
The final chapter is a magnificient addition to the art of teaching. It consists
of discussions of specific structural problems involving a number of the
individual techniques previously described. In this way, it becomes clear to
the reader why it is essential to use more than one method in order to increase
the value of the structural determination.
At the end of each chapter are given imaginative problems as well as some
of the answers and comments concerning the solutions.
As the title indicates, this book is aimed at inorganic chemists. Its value,
however, is much wider since the same techniques are widely used in the field
of organic chemistry and so it can be confidently predicted that all chemists
interested in structural problems will benefit greatly from reading this excel-
lent book.
W. J. O-T.

Spectroscopic Properties of Inorganic and Organometallic Compounds,

Specialist Periodical Report, Vol. 18, Senior Reporters G. Davidson and
E. A. V. Ebsworth, Royal Society of Chemistry, London, 1985, pp xiv +
466, price $95.00.

This is the first volume of the well known Specialist Periodical Report
series to be published as camera-ready copy. The reproduction quality is
excellent throughout, although the small type used for references in some
articles is not as legible as one would like. The eight chapters by the same
reporters as the two previous volumes cover the whole area of spectroscopies
of interest to readers of this journal: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (183 pp.),
Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance (18 pp.), Rotational Spectroscopy (17 pp.),