Cover image for Fundamentals of sustainable chemical science
Title:
Fundamentals of sustainable chemical science
Personal Author:
Publication Information:
Boca Raton : CRC Press, c2009
Physical Description:
xii, 376 p. : ill. ; 26 cm.
ISBN:
9781439802397

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30000010233991 QD31.3 M347 2009 Open Access Book Book
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Summary

Summary

Written by Stanley Manahan, Fundamentals of Sustainable Chemical Science has been carefully designed to provide a basic introduction to chemistry, including organic chemistry and biochemistry, for readers with little or no prior background in the subject. Manahan, bestselling author of many environmental texts, presents the material in a practical format that ties together real-world examples from environmental chemistry, green chemistry, and related areas while maintaining brevity and simplicity. The author presents:

An introduction to chemistry at the most fundamental level A discussion of environmental chemistry and the now-critical area of sustainable chemical science A straightforward presentation of the essentials of chemical science

The book begins with an introduction to the basic concepts and terms needed to really understand chemistry. With these terms defined in very fundamental ways, it is then possible to cover chemical concepts in greater detail without having to guess what readers know and don't know about chemistry. The book also includes basic coverage of organic chemistry and biochemistry. Although other books at the beginner level often omit these topics, those who deal with the real world of environmental pollution, hazardous wastes, agricultural science, and other applied areas quickly realize that a rudimentary understanding of them is essential. These two features make the book not only unique but also practical.

Supplying the nuts and bolts of the science, Manahan elucidates the basics of chemistry in a clear, concise format with tie-ins to environmental chemistry and green chemistry.


Reviews 1

Choice Review

Chemistry is certainly one of the important academic disciplines playing a role in the current push toward sustainable development. "Green chemistry," as it is sometimes called, is required both to minimize the consumption of irreplaceable natural resources and to decrease the flow of waste products back into the fragile environment. The future of the chemical industry may well be determined by the ability to find new industrial starting materials that are not derived from petrochemicals. Thus, the title suggests that this book should be of broad interest to chemists and the public. This expectation is enhanced by the fact that Manahan (Univ. of Missouri, Columbia) is well known for his works on environmental chemistry (e.g., Industrial Ecology, CH, Sep'99, 37-0350; Hazardous Waste Chemistry, Toxicology, and Treatment, CH, Oct'91, 29-0904). Unfortunately, most of the book deals with an introduction to the basic ideas of chemistry, and there are relatively few pages devoted to topics that are directly related to sustainability. Many of the current general chemistry textbooks probably provide as much, if not more, of an introduction to sustainability. The work is not badly written, but neither is it likely to fill any previously unmet need for information. Summing Up: Not recommended. H. E. Pence SUNY College at Oneonta