Inorganic Chemistry

Abstract

THIS book is not a treatise on inorganic chemistry, but appears to have developed out of three lectures delivered by Sir Gilbert Morgan in 1933 to the Institute of Chemistry, in which a survey of inorganic chemistry was attempted in the light of the remarkable discoveries of the last few years. For the startling revelation in the year 1933 of the isotope of hydrogen, and of the existence in ordinary water of an undreamt-of heavy constituent?a new variety of water in fact?can only be compared to the surprising discovery in 1894 of a new inert gas, argon, in atmospheric air, and in very appreciable quantity. That the commonest and most extensively existent liquid?forming the great oceans themselves?and the very atmosphere which we breathe, should possess concealed within them hitherto unknown constituents in such appreciable quantities, were facts indeed to give a new outlook to chemistry; and not merely to inorganic chemistry, but as regards the isotope of hydrogen, also to organic chemistry, considering that hydrogen is so important a constituent of countless carbon compounds. Indeed, at first sight an appalling vista of new hydrocarbon compounds and derivatives arises before us. When to all this we add the astonishing progress made by physicists in our knowledge of the structure of the chemical atoms, and especially of the atomic nucleus, and also in the artificial disintegration of the chemical elements?a whole series of new fugitive elements possessing induced radioactivity being called forth?there can be no wonder that it becomes necessary to take stock of the position.

Inorganic Chemistry:

a Survey of Modern Developments. By Sir Gilbert T. Morgan and Francis Hereward Burstall. Pp. ix + 462. (Cambridge: W. Heffer and Sons, Ltd., 1936.) 15s. net.