Book Review: Electrochemical Interfaces. Modern Techniques for in-situ Interface Characterization....
1
The number of printing errors is kept to a minimum throughout this volume of Houben-Weyl. Less than 50 er- rors (and only very few serious ones) were noted while going through the material. Except for p. XXXVII (where a terri- ble 20 % of the references contain minor errors or are incom- plete) the citation is comparable in quality with that found in the best journals. In conclusion, the updated Houben-Weyl volume on organotellurium compounds is a masterpiece which will be enthusiastically received by all readers with an interest in tellurium chemistry. Lars Engman Department of Organic Chemistry Royal Institute of Technology Stockholm (Sweden) ElectrochemicalInterfaces. Modern Techniques for in-situ In- terface Characterization. Edited by H. D. Abruna. VCH Publishers, New York/VCH Verlagsgesellschaft, Wein- heim, 1991. xviii, 589 pp., hardcover DM 182.00.- ISBN 0-89573-7 1 5-913-527-27840-0 In seeking to describe and understand electrochemical processes that occur in the solid/liquid transition region, experimental data obtained by in-situ measurements are es- pecially valuable. A classic example where this applies is the technique of cyclovoltammetry (CV). In this the flow of charge is recorded as a function of the potential, but the method is intrinsically incapable of yielding information of a highly specific kind. For this reason other techniques that can be used in combination with CV have recently been developed to complement it. Particularly interesting results can be obtained by carrying out in-situ measurements simul- taneously with CV studies. This rapidly developing field is the subject of the specialist book edited by H. D. Abruna (Cornell University) which is reviewed here. The book, with nearly 600 pages, contains ten chapters following an introduction by the editor, and there is a 22- page subject index at the end. The individual chapters deal with X-ray absorption spec- troscopy, surface X-ray scattering, X-ray standing waves, measurements of surface forces, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, nonlinear optical methods, surface infrared spec- troscopy, in-situ Mossbauer spectroscopy, radioactive label- ing, and measurements with vibrating quartz crystals. The contributions have been printed by the camera-ready method, and all except one are written by American authors. Apart from the fact that several of the figures in Chapter 1 have been interchanged (see the comments of the editorial office), the contributions are impressively well prepared : they are logically set out, illustrated by clear figures, and packed with information. In each chapter the main emphasis is firmly on the description of the experimental techniques, but this is supported by informative examples of applica- tions. In the description of the standing wave X-ray tech- nique for characterizing the phase boundary region, it would have been desirable to have examples of a wider range of applications. Unfortunately the chapter on in-situ measure- ments with vibrating quartz crystals includes only two exam- ples of applications, namely to coverages deposited in the under-potential range, and (in more detail) to studies of mass transport during redox processes in polymer films. The selection of topics covered by the chapters is not ex- haustive, nor can one expect it to be. However, it is notice- able that some important methods are not mentioned, for example UVjVIS reflectance spectroscopy, ellipsometry and photocurrent spectroscopy. It is also regrettable that in-situ topographic methods such as scanning tunneling mi- croscopy (STM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), which give a microscopic image of the surface, in some cases with atomic resolution, are not included. Furthermore, there seems to be no logical connection between the individual chapters. The fact that articles on optically based techniques alternate with others on non-optical methods prevents a sys- tematic presentation of the subject matter. Consequently it is hardly surprising that the book lacks a final summary link- ing the various methods and results and evaluating them. The book has a binding of appropriately high quality. Considered as a whole it provides a good insight into the progress that has been made in the development of various in-situ techniques. However, one cannot overlook the short- comings in the choice of topics and their relative emphasis, and the lack of a logical arrangement of subject matter, with the result that the reader fails to get a deeper understanding of the progress made. The book is unquestionably of consid- erable importance to scientists with interests in interfacial electrochemistry, and it should therefore be in every relevant library, especially since the price of DM 182.00 will prevent students from buying it. Rolf Schumacher Schering AG, Forschungsabteilung G T Berlin (FRG) Chemistry of Organosulfur Compounds. General Problems. (Ellis Horwood Series in Organic Chemistry). Edited by L. I. Belen’kii. Ellis Horwood, New York, 1990. 378 pp., hardcover $ 129.95.-ISBN 0-13-132051-3 Organosulfur chemistry traditionally occupies a position of considerable importance in Soviet research, and there is even a special scientific committee to promote it. The mono- graph reviewed here is based on a status report on work in this field that was prepared in 1986 by various authors, mainly from Moscow and Irkutsk. For this English version the Russian text has been rearranged and updated (but, as becomes apparent, only in parts). The 15 chapters of this version deal with the preparation of organosulfur com- pounds, their transformations, and the methods used to study them. Details of the chapters are as follows: Modern Principles of the Synthesis of Organosulfur Compounds (M. G. Voronkov et al., 14 pp., 25 references); Radical Re- actions of Some Thiocarbonyl Derivatives in Solutions (R. Kh. Freidlina et al., 21 pp., 64 references); Thermal Re- actions and High Temperature Syntheses of Organosulfur Compounds (M. G. Voronkov et al., 20 pp., 56 references); Photochemical Synthesis and Transformations of Organo- sulfur Compounds (N. N. Vlasova, 22 pp., 65 references); Radiochemical Synthesis and Transformations of Organo- sulfur Compounds (E. M. Nanobashvili, 8 pp., 11 refer- ences); Sulfur-stabilized Carbanions and their Synthetic Use (F. M. Stoyanovich, 43 pp., 267 references); Formation of C-C Bonds Using Sulfur-containing Electrophilic Reagents (W A. Smit et al., 32 pp., 99 references); Catalytic Synthesis of Organosulfur Compounds (A. V. Mashkina, 20 pp., 40 references) ; Methods of Desulfurization and their Use in Organic Synthesis (L. I. Belen’kii, 36 pp., 189 references); Investigation of Organic Reactions by the Use of Radioac- tive Sulfur (V. M. Fedeseev, 15 pp., 49 references); Mass 238 0 VCH Verlagsgeselischafi mbH. W-6940 Weinheim, 1992 0570-0833/92j0202-0238 $3.50+ .2510 Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 31 (1992) No. 2
-
Upload
rolf-schumacher -
Category
Documents
-
view
221 -
download
1
Transcript of Book Review: Electrochemical Interfaces. Modern Techniques for in-situ Interface Characterization....
The number of printing errors is kept to a minimum throughout this volume of Houben-Weyl. Less than 50 er- rors (and only very few serious ones) were noted while going through the material. Except for p. XXXVII (where a terri- ble 20 % of the references contain minor errors or are incom- plete) the citation is comparable in quality with that found in the best journals.
In conclusion, the updated Houben-Weyl volume on organotellurium compounds is a masterpiece which will be enthusiastically received by all readers with an interest in tellurium chemistry.
Lars Engman Department of Organic Chemistry
Royal Institute of Technology Stockholm (Sweden)
Electrochemical Interfaces. Modern Techniques for in-situ In- terface Characterization. Edited by H . D . Abruna. VCH Publishers, New York/VCH Verlagsgesellschaft, Wein- heim, 1991. xviii, 589 pp., hardcover DM 182.00.- ISBN 0-89573-7 1 5-913-527-27840-0
In seeking to describe and understand electrochemical processes that occur in the solid/liquid transition region, experimental data obtained by in-situ measurements are es- pecially valuable. A classic example where this applies is the technique of cyclovoltammetry (CV). In this the flow of charge is recorded as a function of the potential, but the method is intrinsically incapable of yielding information of a highly specific kind. For this reason other techniques that can be used in combination with CV have recently been developed to complement it. Particularly interesting results can be obtained by carrying out in-situ measurements simul- taneously with CV studies. This rapidly developing field is the subject of the specialist book edited by H. D. Abruna (Cornell University) which is reviewed here.
The book, with nearly 600 pages, contains ten chapters following an introduction by the editor, and there is a 22- page subject index at the end.
The individual chapters deal with X-ray absorption spec- troscopy, surface X-ray scattering, X-ray standing waves, measurements of surface forces, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, nonlinear optical methods, surface infrared spec- troscopy, in-situ Mossbauer spectroscopy, radioactive label- ing, and measurements with vibrating quartz crystals. The contributions have been printed by the camera-ready method, and all except one are written by American authors.
Apart from the fact that several of the figures in Chapter 1 have been interchanged (see the comments of the editorial office), the contributions are impressively well prepared : they are logically set out, illustrated by clear figures, and packed with information. In each chapter the main emphasis is firmly on the description of the experimental techniques, but this is supported by informative examples of applica- tions. In the description of the standing wave X-ray tech- nique for characterizing the phase boundary region, it would have been desirable to have examples of a wider range of applications. Unfortunately the chapter on in-situ measure- ments with vibrating quartz crystals includes only two exam- ples of applications, namely to coverages deposited in the under-potential range, and (in more detail) to studies of mass transport during redox processes in polymer films.
The selection of topics covered by the chapters is not ex- haustive, nor can one expect it to be. However, it is notice-
able that some important methods are not mentioned, for example UVjVIS reflectance spectroscopy, ellipsometry and photocurrent spectroscopy. It is also regrettable that in-situ topographic methods such as scanning tunneling mi- croscopy (STM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), which give a microscopic image of the surface, in some cases with atomic resolution, are not included. Furthermore, there seems to be no logical connection between the individual chapters. The fact that articles on optically based techniques alternate with others on non-optical methods prevents a sys- tematic presentation of the subject matter. Consequently it is hardly surprising that the book lacks a final summary link- ing the various methods and results and evaluating them.
The book has a binding of appropriately high quality. Considered as a whole it provides a good insight into the progress that has been made in the development of various in-situ techniques. However, one cannot overlook the short- comings in the choice of topics and their relative emphasis, and the lack of a logical arrangement of subject matter, with the result that the reader fails to get a deeper understanding of the progress made. The book is unquestionably of consid- erable importance to scientists with interests in interfacial electrochemistry, and it should therefore be in every relevant library, especially since the price of DM 182.00 will prevent students from buying it.
Rolf Schumacher Schering AG, Forschungsabteilung GT
Berlin (FRG)
Chemistry of Organosulfur Compounds. General Problems. (Ellis Horwood Series in Organic Chemistry). Edited by L. I . Belen’kii. Ellis Horwood, New York, 1990. 378 pp., hardcover $ 129.95.-ISBN 0-13-132051-3
Organosulfur chemistry traditionally occupies a position of considerable importance in Soviet research, and there is even a special scientific committee to promote it. The mono- graph reviewed here is based on a status report on work in this field that was prepared in 1986 by various authors, mainly from Moscow and Irkutsk. For this English version the Russian text has been rearranged and updated (but, as becomes apparent, only in parts). The 15 chapters of this version deal with the preparation of organosulfur com- pounds, their transformations, and the methods used to study them. Details of the chapters are as follows: Modern Principles of the Synthesis of Organosulfur Compounds (M. G. Voronkov et al., 14 pp., 25 references); Radical Re- actions of Some Thiocarbonyl Derivatives in Solutions (R. Kh. Freidlina et al., 21 pp., 64 references); Thermal Re- actions and High Temperature Syntheses of Organosulfur Compounds (M. G. Voronkov et al., 20 pp., 56 references); Photochemical Synthesis and Transformations of Organo- sulfur Compounds (N. N. Vlasova, 22 pp., 65 references); Radiochemical Synthesis and Transformations of Organo- sulfur Compounds (E. M. Nanobashvili, 8 pp., 11 refer- ences); Sulfur-stabilized Carbanions and their Synthetic Use (F. M. Stoyanovich, 43 pp., 267 references); Formation of C-C Bonds Using Sulfur-containing Electrophilic Reagents (W A. Smit et al., 32 pp., 99 references); Catalytic Synthesis of Organosulfur Compounds (A. V. Mashkina, 20 pp., 40 references) ; Methods of Desulfurization and their Use in Organic Synthesis (L. I. Belen’kii, 36 pp., 189 references); Investigation of Organic Reactions by the Use of Radioac- tive Sulfur (V. M. Fedeseev, 15 pp., 49 references); Mass
238 0 VCH Verlagsgeselischafi mbH. W-6940 Weinheim, 1992 0570-0833/92j0202-0238 $3.50+ .2510 Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 31 (1992) No. 2
