BOOK REVIEWS
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. P. J. Hore. Oxford University which magnetic resonance may give information about both the solid catalysts and the reacting species adsorbed on their sur-Press, Oxford, 1995. 90 pages. $9.95, paper. ISBN: 0-19-855682-9. faces. This is also an area of particular interest to the reviewer, who, although he has not been active in this field for some Part of the series of ''Oxford Chemistry Primers,'' this little years, originally became involved in NMR through his concern volume, also described as a physical chemistry primer, is written with research on catalytic processes at solid surfaces. Indeed, as an introduction to NMR for undergraduate students. It should it seems appropriate to recall the pioneering work of P. W. serve that purpose well, and it is very likely that it would also Selwood in the applications of NMR to the study of surfaces be of value for those of their mentors who are not specialists of supported catalysts. In the late 1940s, Selwood sent one of in the field. The author has succeeded in compressing into a his research group to the Harvard laboratories of Purcell and small space clear explanations leading the reader from the level Pound to measure the effect of metal films on the relaxation of elementary principles up to reasonably advanced methods times of protons in various organic liquids and showed that the and applications. In general the organization is excellent and degree of dispersion of metals on the supports indicated by the material is clearly presented. Illustrations are interesting and these measurements correlated well with the results of magnetic varied and surprisingly up-to-date, including, for example, a susceptibility measurements. It was through a talk which Sel-750 MHz spectrum of a 69-residue protein. The chapters are wood gave in Philadelphia about 1951 that this reviewer first ''Introduction,'' ''Chemical shifts,'' ''Spin-spin coupling,'' became acquainted with NMR. ''Chemical exchange,'' ''Spin relaxation,'' and ''Experimental
The present volume begins with a brief introductory chapter methods.'' by the editors, outlining the role of NMR in catalysis, especially Although I can recommend the book highly to its intended in relation to other techniques. Each of the seven following audience, there are a few items that might well have been chapters is long enough to give the authors the opportunity modified. Most important is the emphasis on the transmission to expand upon their topics, and, as might be expected, each of spin-spin coupling information through bonds. There are contribution is devoted particularly to the research interests of so many examples now known of transmission through unthe respective authors. shared electron pairs rather than through bonding pairs that
In several of the chapters, emphasis is on a particular type it is a shame that this misconception is introduced at a point of solid catalyst. Fyfe, Mueller, and Kokotailo discuss various that will make it difficult for the reader to shake it off later. types of zeolites and the insight that 27 Al, 29 Si, and 31 P spectra Next, the spectrum of acidified ethanol is presented on page can give into structure and bonding in the solids. Eckart's topic 22 as if it were that of pure ethanol. Although this point is is ''Bulk Oxide Catalysts.'' Among these are oxidation cataremedied later, it seems again that one should be as precise lysts, including a variety of vanadium(V) compounds, which as possible from the outset. I am not certain what ''relatively can be studied because they are diamagnetic, as well as some slow equilibria,'' mentioned on page 47, are. Finally, although tin-based materials. Various alumina phases, amorphous silica-Chapter 6 emphasizes strongly the requirements for homogealumina mixtures, and aluminophosphates are of importance as neity of the magnetic field over the sample, the flat statement isomerization and cracking catalysts. This chapter also introthat electromagnets ''are incapable of producing fields much duces the use of probe adsorbate molecules to characterize in excess of 2.35 T'' should really be expanded to indicate that Bro Β¨nsted and Lewis acid sites on the solid surfaces. the problem is related to the difficulty of achieving adequate Maciel and Ellis describe the characterization of silica and homogeneity at higher fields. alumina surfaces, including various derivatized materials. Appli-W.S.B. cations of heteronuclear cross-polarization techniques and 1 H CRAMPS are discussed. The study of aluminas modified by adsorption of Rb / , silver, or molybdenum oxide is described. NMR Techniques in Catalysis. Alexis T. Bell and Alexander Characterization of acidic sites by various types of probe mole-Pines, Editors. Dekker, New York, 1994. 432 pages. cules is illustrated in some detail. Finally, the application of $165.00. ISBN: 0-8247-9173-8. SEDOR to the study of molecules adsorbed on supported transi-Although the title is quite general, this volume is confined tions metals is discussed.
A chapter by Haddix and Narayana is devoted to layered to NMR studies relating to heterogeneous catalysis, an area in 92