My Account Wish List
Advanced Search
Print - Close Window
www.praeger.com/catalog/GR3758.aspx
All Greenwood Products
The 100 Most Important Chemical Compounds A Reference Guide
Richard L. Myers
Book Code: GR3758
ISBN: 0-313-33758-6
ISBN-13: 978-0-313-33758-1
352 pages, figures; tables
Greenwood Press
Publication: 8/30/2007
List Price: $85.00 (UK Sterling Price: £47.95)
Availability: In Stock
Media Type: Hardcover
Also Available: Ebook
Trim Size: 7 x 10
Subjects: Reviews:
  • Giving both general and scientific information that might be useful to a variety of users, this is recommended for large public and college/university libraries, especially those serving chemistry departments.
    —Library Journal     December 2007
  • Myers offers his criteria for inclusion on his list--compounds that "were chosen because of their importance to health, industry, and society, and because of their historical impact." Although one can criticize that alternative compounds have been left off any list such as this, there are a wide variety of compounds represented, including pharmaceuticals, natural products, and commodity chemicals, alongside obvious entries such as water and ammonia. Entries are arranged alphabetically by compound name. Each entry is two to four pages long and includes basic chemical information (Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number, select physical properties, molecular formula), followed by a narrative discussing the compound's history, significance to society, and general chemistry and use. However, the human side is not forgotten. Roles of many significant scientists, inventors, and companies are detailed in the development and use of these compounds. The book includes a concise yet informative introductory chapter dealing with basic chemistry principles and concepts, as well as a glossary and a table of common and ancient names of substances.... Recommended. General readers; lower- and upper-division undergraduates; two-year technical program students.
    —Choice     March 2008
  • The 100 Most Important Chemical Compounds is filled with fascinating information. It concludes with a glossary of chemical terms and an extensive bibliography. The author proposes that this book would be especially useful for science teachers and for students needing a general review of common chemical compounds. It is also a wonderful source for persons interested in the history of science.
    —Association for Women in Science     Winter 2008
  • The author has included anecdotal information about people, places, and products pertaining to the compound, as well as useful historical information....The clear writing makes this volume accessible to lay readers....A useful addition.
    —School Library Journal     February 2008
  • [T]he text in The 100 Most Important Chemical Compounds adds another dimension to information about chemicals. This title will be useful for chemistry reference collections in both large and small libraries.
    —Booklist     February 1, 2008
Description: What is a chemical compound? Compounds are substances that are two or more elements combined together chemically in a standard proportion by weight. Compounds are all around us - they include familiar things, such as water, and more esoteric substances, such as triuranium octaoxide, the most commonly occurring natural source for uranium. This reference guide gives us a tour of 100 of the most important, common, unusual, and intriguing compounds known to science. Each entry gives an extensive explanation of the composition, molecular formula, and chemical properties of the compound. In addition, each entry reviews the relevant chemistry, history, and uses of the compound, with discussions of the origin of the compound's name, the discovery or first synthesis of the compound, production statistics, and uses of the compound. The 100 Most Important Chemical Compounds provides readers not only with the understanding of the chemistry of these substances and the practical uses of these compounds, but also includes numerous interesting historical details about the scientific discoveries:
  • Hannibal employed acetic acid in crossing the Alps
  • A disgruntled family doctor pleas to do medical research leads to the use of insulin to treat diabetes
  • Charles Francis Hall's research as a high school student resulted in a cheap process to produce aluminum and the founding of ALCOA
  • A bitter priority dispute among several doctors over the discovery of ether as an anesthetic lead to suicide, prison, and early deaths.
  • Dupont scientists researching the production of CFCs accidentally produced a white waxy substance now known as Teflon
  • A chemist synthesized methylphenidate and administered it to his wife Rita. He named the compound after her -- Ritalin
    The reference guide includes a glossary, a guide to further reading, and numerous chemical illustrations to help illuminate the text.
    • LC Card Number: 2007014139
    LCC Class: TP9
    Dewey Class: 540
    PDF Catalogs:
    Greenwood Science and Health 2008.pdf
    Greenwood Spring Reference 2008.pdf
    All rights reserved. Copyright © 1999-2008 Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc.
    88 Post Road West, Westport CT 06881, (203) 226-3571