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Basic Principles of Inorganic Chemistry
Brian Murphy, Clair Murphy, and Brian J. Hathaway. Royal
Society of Chemistry: Cambridge, UK, 1998. viii + 143 pp.
Appendices and index. ISBN 0-85404-574-0. £16.9,
$34.95 paperback.
This book is intended to be a brief introduction of
general inorganic chemistry, written primarily for students
in their first year of chemistry. The text is organized into seven
chapters, two appendices, and an alphabetical subject index.
Each chapter begins with a one-paragraph statement of its
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aims and objectives. Chapter headings reflect the material
covered in the 143 pages of actual text. They are as follows.
1. Moles and Molarity. Differences between atoms and
molecules, between cations and anions, and between compounds
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and mixtures are discussed. Numerical examples are given to
show the calculation of both molecular weight and atomic
weight percentage from molecular structure, of molarity from
the grams of solute dissolved in a given volume of solution,
and of amount of chemicals produced as the result of chemical
reactions involving limiting reagents. The authors unfortu-
nately use the terms “atomic weight” and “molecular weight”
throughout the book. Most chemistry textbooks used in the
United States distinguish between weights and masses.
2. The Structure of the Atom, Electron Configuration
and the Build-up of the Periodic Table. The chapter presents
in abbreviated fashion several of the early models for the atom
and discusses the spectroscopic evidence for atomic orbitals.
The four quantum numbers are introduced and the shapes
of s, p, and d orbitals are depicted. Electron configurations
for the first 30 elements in the periodic table are deduced
using the Pauli exclusion principle and Hund’s maximum
multiplicity rule. The outer electron configurations for Cr
and Cu were given as 3d4 and 3d9, respectively. Nowhere in
the chapter was it ever mentioned that these two elements
have abnormal ground-state electron configurations in that
an electron is removed from the 4s orbital and placed into
one of the 3d orbitals. The chapter’s coverage could have been
expanded to show electron configurations of simple ions, such
as Na+, Mg2+, and F {.
3. The Physical Properties of the Elements and the Periodic
Table. Periodic trends in atomic radii, first ionization poten-
tial, and electron affinity are presented in both tabular and
graphical format. Only a superficial explanation is given to
justify each observed trend.
4. Chemical Properties of the Elements and the Periodic Table.
Molecular bonding is discussed in terms of the sharing of
electrons between adjacent atoms. Electronegativity is in-
troduced and rules are presented for the assignment of oxi-
dation numbers for simple molecules and ionic compounds. The
variable valences of select first-row transition metals are dis-
cussed. Structural formulas of several polyatomic covalent
molecules are presented to show how the number of valence
electrons determines the number of covalent bonds that will
be formed. Molecular orbital theory of diatomic molecules
JChemEd.chem.wisc.edu • Vol. 76 No. 10 October 1999 • Journal of Chemical Education
Edward J. Walsh
Allegheny College
Meadville, PA 16335
is briefly presented using H2, H2+, He2+ and He2. An equation
is given for the calculation of bond order. The discussion of
molecular orbital theory is inadequate in that no mention is
given to the formation of π-bonds, despite the fact that the
authors state that a bond order of two corresponds to a double
bond, and a bond order of three corresponds to a triple bond.
I was disappointed to find very little attention given to
chemical nomenclature. For example, in Chapter 4, molecular
and ionic formulas such as KMnO4, HClO4, and SO42{ are
presented without names. Even in the authors’ discussion of
variable valences, none of the common transition metal cations
are named. Naturally, one must wonder how the authors
expect readers to learn chemical nomenclature from their book.
I also noted that the authors did give the electron
configurations of Cr and Cu as [Ar]s1d5 and [Ar]s1d10 in both
Table 4.1 and Figure 4.4. Readers not already familiar with
how to write electron configurations will undoubtedly note
the discrepancies between Figures 2.11 and 4.4, and wonder
which of the electron configurations are correct.
5. The Lewis Structures of Molecules, Cations and Anions,
Including Oxyanions. The chapter is entirely devoted to
constructing Lewis dot structures. Examples are given for
both molecules and ions that obey the octet rule, and for
those that have an expanded octet containing either 10 or
12 electrons. Resonance structures are drawn if applicable.
Oxyacids and oxyanions of the main group elements are
treated in detail. Formal charges are calculated, and when
needed are used to predict which of several alternative dot
structures is the most reasonable.
6. Shapes and Hybridization. Molecular shapes are predicted
on the basis of the valence state electron pair repulsion
(VSEPR) theory. Examples are depicted showing both bond
orders and bond angles. Advantages and disadvantages of the
VSEPR theory are stated. The basic hybridization schemes
are briefly reviewed, with simple diagrams given to depict
the formation of π-bonds through the overlap of atomic π
orbitals.
7. A Features of Interest Approach to Systematic Inorganic
Chemistry. Properties and reactivity of select molecules are
summarized in a “Features of Interest Spider Diagram”. The
diagram includes the electron configuration, electronegativity,
and oxidation number of each element in the molecule, as
well the molecule’s shape and Lewis dot structure and select
chemical reactions involving the molecule. Contrary to the
authors’ claims, however, it is not apparent to me how the
spider diagram allows one to predict 80% of the chemistry
of simple molecules, anions, and cations.
The book concludes with two appendices listing six ad-
ditional texts and papers and ten tutorials, and a dozen or so
possible topics and questions for discussion. Personally, I
found the book to be completely unsuitable as either a text-
book or reference book for classroom instruction in the
United States. I suspect that it was written for the British
educational system. It is much too narrowly focused to be
used as a general chemistry textbook. The few topics that are
1341
covered in the book I find covered in greater depth in most
standard general chemistry textbooks. The book contains no
problems for students to work. Many of the examples that
are presented are extremely simple, and are not meant to
challenge even the average student.
William E. Acree, Jr.
Department of Chemistry
University of North Texas
Denton, TX 76203-5070

1342 Journal of Chemical Education • Vol. 76 No. 10 October 1999 • JChemEd.chem.wisc.edu