from the voltammogram using known criteria. The maxi- mum current ratio i,,/i,, deviates from Unity and indicates the subsequent reaction on the time-scale of the measure- ments.

[ l ] F. Gerson, W. B. Martin Jr., J. Am. Chem. Sac. 91 (1969) 1883. [2] F. Gerson, H. Ohya-Nishiguchi, C. Wylder, Angew. Chem. 88 (1976) 617;

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 15 (1976) 552.

Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 21 (1982) 216. 131 M. Gross, P. Lemoine, R. Jund, Angew. Chem. 94 (1982) 312; Angew.

[4] B. S . Jensen, V. D. Parker, J. Chem. SOC. Chem. Commun. 1974, 367. [5 ] J. Heinze, M. Storzbach, J. Mortensen, J. Eleetroanal. Chem., in press.

Received: September 5, 1983 [Z 538 IE] German version: Angew. Chem. 96 (1984) 64

BOOK REVIEWS

Atomic Spectrometric Trace Analysis. Edited by B. Welz. Verlag Chemie, Weinheim 1982, xvi, 564 pp., bound, DM 148.00 This conference report deals with 5 5 contributions

which were presented at the 1st Colloquium on “Trace Analysis by Atomic Spectrometry” (Konstanz, April 7 to 9, 1981).

The increasing importance of reliable techniques for the determination of low and lowest element concentrations (ng/g to pg/g range) in many areas of the geological, bio- logical, materials sciences and in medicine, as well as envi- ronmental control, has made large, close, interdisciplinary exchange of views concerning the currently available methods, their capabilities and their limitations desirable. The conference and the book resulting from it admirably meet these requirements. The conference was organized by an instrument manufacturing company (Bodenseewerk Perkin-Elmer GmbH, Uberlingen) rather than by a scien- tific institute, as is more usually the case. Perhaps, this un- usual circumstance is the reason why a valuable evaluation of the actual problems of trace analysis came about. Some important techniques in atomic spectroscopy used today, such as atomic absorption spectroscopy, enabling single element determinations, and optical emission spectrometry with high frequency plasma excitation (ICP-AES) for mul- tielement determinations are considered. Their perform- ance as well as their limitations are discussed, mainly from the point of view of the user. Most of the contributions are devoted to the solution of practical problems. With regard to the type of samples, biological materials and water sam- ples take pride of place. The trace elements concerned tend to be the “old friends”, namely Hg, Cd, Pb, T1, Se and As and the motivation for their determination and analyti- cal strategies to be applied are relatively uniform. Special- ized topics concerning trace analysis of Si, As, Sn and or- ganotin compounds, alkyl lead compounds as well as va- por phase lanthanoids and actinoids introdue some va- riety.

However, there is still a long way to go before universal and, at the same time, reliable and highly characteristic in- strumental methods are available which make the direct analysis of solid samples possible. Therefore, decomposi- tion and separation techniques which are employed prior to the actual determination are of great importance. In this connection, the reader will find very informative review ar-

ticles on the decomposition of organic matrices by G. Knapp and on removal of the matrix by E. Jackwerth.

From the point of view of the development of instru- mental methods of determination, the following contribu- tions are particularly valuable: “A comparison of the var- ious Zeeman systems in AAS” by L. de Galan and M. T. C. de Loos- Vellebregt, “Forward scattering-a method for multielement determination” by P. Wirz and A . Scharman, “Loop AAS and AES”: a new, highly sensitive micro- method for flame AAS and AES” by H . Berndt and J. Mes- serschmidt. A further paper submitted by the editor and his co-workers and relates to improvements in standardization of graphite tube AAS by a better separation of peaks and to the hydride AAS technique.

This conference report is first of all a collection of ex- periences which can be thoroughly recommended for ana- lysts involved in trace element analysis with the aid of spectroscopy. It further displays inadequacies to be over- come by scientists involved in the development of meth- ods. Finally, it gives a good insight into the multiplicity of current problems in this field; this is useful to those who are less initiated-amongst whom I include the coming generation of analysts. However, the disproportionally high price of the well-edited, photo-reproduced volume will oppose my positive recommendation to acquire it.

Giinther Tolg [NB 601 IE] Institut fur Spektrometrie, Dortmund (FRG)

The Pyridine Nucleotide Coenzymes. Edited by J. Euerse, N. Anderson, and K . 4 . You. Academic Press, New York 1982, xxxv, 389 pp., bound, $46.00 Commemorative works are often primarily concerned

with the reputation of the commemoratee (and often of the author) and seldom apply themselves to the information requirement of the reader. This book on pyridine nucleo- tides, published to commemorate the 75th birthday of Na- than 0. Kaplan, demonstrates that this need not necessar- ily be the case. Kaplan was one of the pioneers of enzymo- logy and, above all, of the synthetic chemical treatment of this class of coenzymes, which Otto Warburg discovered in the nineteen thirties. Kaplan’s merits in this research area and his efforts as teacher and scientific organizer are intro- duced by experienced and famous pens. M. D . Kamen, F,

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 23 (1984) No. I 85