Introduction to Organic Chemistry [Hardcover]

Andrew Streitwieser (Author), Clayton H. Heathcock (Author), Edward M. Kosower (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0024181706 | ISBN-13: 978-0024181701 | Publication Date: February 1992 | Edition: 4th

This text retains the fundamentals concepts that made it so successful in past editions, while integrating a new biomedical dimensions. It is our most comprehensive textbook, appropriate for chemistry majors or advanced students.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This text retains the fundamentals concepts that made it so successful in past editions, while integrating a new biomedical dimensions. It is our most comprehensive textbook, appropriate for chemistry majors or advanced students.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1256 pages
• Publisher: Macmillan Coll Div; 4th edition (February 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0024181706
• ISBN-13: 978-0024181701
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.3 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,613,823 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best but Intensive Texts, November 20, 2000

By 

Matthew M. Yau "Voracious reader" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Introduction to Organic Chemistry, Revised Printing (4th Edition) (Paperback)

It might not have lush photos and graphics, yet this revised printing version of "Introduction to Organic Chemistry" remains one of the most authoritative text for introductory level.

Readers are assumed solid mastery of one year of general chemistry since the coverage on electronic structure and bonding is succinct. Readers should be able to draw Lewis dot structures and identify the major resonance structures from all resonance structures, etc.

Two separate chapters discuss respectively organic structures and chapter reactions, who incorporate the simple chemistry of alkanes (hydrocarbons). Stereoisomerism is introduced early in the text so students can grasp this important concept and the consequence on reactions, reactivity and distribution of products.

Discussion on nucleophilic substitution reaction is somewhat obscure that might requires a few readings in order to grasp the idea. Discussion on various functional groups (alkenes, alkynes, nitriles, ketones, enol, carboxylic acids, carboxylic derivatives) are very detailed and problems focus on multistep organic synthesis.

Information on spectroscopy (NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, etc) might not be comparable to a text that devotes to these spectroscopy topics, but students will learn the gist and essence of using these techniques in determining organic structures.

What makes this text distinguish itself from others are the chapters on hetero atoms like phosphorus, sulfur, and silicon. Another chapter is devoted to difunctional compounds which are siginificant intermediates and starting points for synthesis. Discussion on biological macromolecules like carbohydrates, amino acids, proteins are also included. Readers will also find the door to advanced topics such as aromatic halides, phenols, phenyl ethers, polycyclic aromatic compounds, and heterocyclic compounds.

Overall the information presented here is very detailed and geared toward advanced study and research. This is highly recommended for serious chemisty students. Excellent problems. Highly recommended.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of Molecular Orbitals, June 29, 2004

By 

Evan A Genest (Hsinchu Taiwan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Introduction to Organic Chemistry, Revised Printing (4th Edition) (Paperback)

This includes a lot of the physics behind organic chemistry. Streitweiser did a lot of pioneering work in the 50s calculating molecular orbitals so that aspect is very nicely covered. He discovered a lot of what is presented so it gives the book a sense of authority.

The writing has an appealing friendliness to it, like an older relative is taking you under their wing as an apprentice. Their are a few reminisences, such as the time they distilled an explosive peroxide and the resultant explosion moved furniture in nearby rooms it shook the building so much.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Text and Reference for Chemists and Chem Students, July 19, 2000

By 

Matthew M. Yau "Voracious reader" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Introduction to Organic Chemistry, Revised Printing (4th Edition) (Paperback)

This is a very hard-core and detailed treatment of the subject of organic chemistry. Ideal for chemistry majors, this book has served as a refresher for me as a professional chemist. The book assumed mastery over general chemistry and the prerequisites of chemical structure and bonding. Practice problems are only to help develop further insight and application of the chemistry presented.