Book recommendations

[tsmoon]

Hi,

 

As a layman curious about industrial manufacturing processes, could

you recommend some books?

 

Specifically, I am looking for a reference book that I can just pop

open at a given page if I am curious about a certain element. I am not

looking for a general interest book that deals with elements or

molecules in terms of their socio-economic, historical roles as well

as their scientific properties (a book of this sort would be "Salt" by

Mark Kurlansky or "The Invention of Air" by Steven Johnson).

 

Such a book would be an encyclopedia of elements that discusses among

other things (1) chemical properties (2) uses in modern products (e.g.

tellurium as it's used in modern semi-conductors) (3) extraction/

production processes (4) geographical location of sources and relative

abundance (5) major commercial miners/extractors (e.g. Rio Tinto and

all the things they dig up).

 

It would be nice if it were clearly written as well, but I'd prefer

accurate, up-to-date, exhaustive and detailed coverage over

legibility. It does not have to be written for the general reader. I'd

prefer it if it were for professional chemists/engineers.

 

I look forward to your replies.

[louis wu]

Greenwood and Earnshaw

Chemistry of the Elements

 

seems the book for you.

 

This is a real textbook and will be priced accordingly.

The layout of giving each element its own chapter has not been duplicated in any other serious textbook (in my possibly fallible knowledge).

[tsmoon]

Seems perfect. Thanks!