REVIEWS
16 7 metal carbonyls were the best catalysts for this, the carboxylation reaction, from which acrylic esters as well as several hydroquinones can be made.
Germany, in its plan to become industrially independent and to wage war, was drastically in need of sources of plastics to supplant natural materials such as rubber, resins, and various metals which had to be imported. Factories were built, therefore, to fully utilize the techniques developed by Reppe, and many of them were in production during the recent war. The vast economic and academic importance of this research was apparent to the Allied Governments, and the need for an accurate and composite record of the work was essential. The gathering, translating, and rewriting of almost thirty tons of documents scattered all over war-torn C-ermany was given to Bigelow and Copenhaver. Together with Reppe, who was completely reluctant to help these enemies of his country, the work was gradually accomplished and, even though by no means complete it stands unique in the field.
The book may be divided into five parts; 1. Synthesis and Reaction of Acetylene under Pressure, 2. Polymerization of Acetylene, 3. The Carboxylation Reaction, 4. Synthesis anti P, eaction of Homologs of Acetylene, and 5. Techniques for the Safe Handling of Acetylene under Pressure. The authors successfully trace the development of this new branch of chemistry and include, besides the reactions themselves, thorough engineering details of equipment, catalysts, yields, and even many of Reppe's own theories. A general bibliography of German acetylene chemistry is included to provide a source of detailed information for those interested.
All of the basic work is covered in the book, but many of the reactions are given rather cursory treatment. However, being confined to a single volume, some material had to be deleted. It is written in a straightforward and easily readable style, and a flow sheet of reactions is put at the end of each chapter to facilitate the remembering of the huge amount of subject matter. The book is offered as a sort of handbook of information in this new fiehl, and even though it is not complete its merits far outweigh this shortcoming. The book shoul<l be a valuable addition to the library of the chemist and research worker in the field of acetylene chemistry.