Rhenium

Abstract

THE discovery of rhenium in 1925 was quickly followed by widespread and intensive research on its properties, so that, within seven or eight years, sufficient information had become available to enable several authors to produce monographs on the element. Since then, a considerable amount of further knowledge has been accumulated, so that a new publication is to be welcomed. Dr. J. G. F. Druce should be well qualified to undertake this task, for he has been actively interested in rhenium throughout its history. His monograph covers the subject fairly well and provides a useful summary of the chemistry of the metal and its compounds. Unfortunately, however, it gives the impression of having been hurriedly written. For example, on page 14 a description is given of the systems tungsten-rhenium and phosphorus-rhenium, and this is again repeated on page 66. Furthermore, in describing potassium perrhenate the statement is made (p. 40), "Its density is about 4·89. In toluene, however, Biltz found the value 11·4." This latter value is obviously incorrect and, indeed, has nothing to do with potassium perrhenate, but is, actually, the density of rhenium dioxide. Then again, on page 16, a table is given of the principal lines in the optical spectrum of the element, which is stated to be "by Loring", whereas it is due to W. F. Meggers and is merely quoted by Loring in an article.

Rhenium

Dvi-Manganese, the Element of Atomic Number 75. By Dr. J. G. F. Druce. Pp. viii + 92. (Cambridge : At the University Press, 1948.) 10s. 6d. net.