Journal of Molecular Structure, 50 (1978) 199-204

@ Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, Amsterdam - Printed in The Netherlands

Book reviews

Proceedings of the Sixth International Congress on Catalysis, edited by G. C.

Bond, P. B. Wells and F. C. Tompkins, Chemical Society, London, 1976, (in
two vols.) pp. cii + 1192, price $35.00.

These two volumes contain all the papers presented at the very successful
conference held in London in July 1976. The conferences covered the
general field of heterogeneous catalysis, although this is not indicated in the
general title. The five plenary lectures, and the 101 research papers and
discussions are all included. The contents list does not, however, distinguish
between the plenary lectures and the presented research papers. However,
the distinction becomes apparent on reading the text, as all the papers are
followed by a discussion whereas the plenary lectures are not. The addition
of author and subject indexes is very useful.
It is, of course, impossible for a reviewer to mention all the papers con-
tained in the two volumes, and the task is not made any easier by the fact
that there is no indication of any order in the presentation of the papers.
However, papers on similar topics do appear adjacent to each other, thus
easing the problem of finding papers relevant to one’s own subject area.
Reading all these papers at once is a business which is, to say the least,
tedious: it is necessary to dip into the two volumes as required, and when the
occasion demands. This is liable to be quite often, considering the impressive
list of research workers featured, and the rather large list of workers who
attended the meeting. At %35.00, the two volumes will proLably only be
purchased by large institutions and university libraries. A better editorial
policy might have been to publish the plenary lectures in more depth as one
volume, and the papers as extended abstracts in another: in this format the
two volumes could be sold separately, which could increase the number of
copies sold. In particular, such a format might bring the cost of either
volume within the reach of individual purchasers. The planning committee
for the next Congress might do well to bear this in mind.
D. D.

Alicyclic Chemistry, Vol. 5, senior reporter W. Parker, Specialist Periodical

Report, Chemical Society, London, 1977, pp. ix + 439, price $28.00.

Most practicing Organic Chemists have come to rely on the invaluable

services of the Specialist Periodical Report series in order to keep abreast of
both their special and their fringe interesk. Volume 5 of this series on
alicyclic chemistry maintains the high standard one has come to take as a
norm in this venture. There are very few research workers who will not derive
pleasure and benefit from the orderly and clear presentation.
0. M.-C.