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The Logic of Chemical Synthesis

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This text is a wonderful insight into the mind and chemical synthetic strategies of E. J. Corey. However, it is really not a good tool for beginning students. The sections on synthons and retrosnthetic strategies are fairly useful for beginners, but the majority of the text are the examples of total syntheses from Corey's work. While these are greatly useful as an insight into Corey and complex synthesis, it is not the best book for beginning students. Too often the routes Corey uses/used involve rare and expensive reagents, seldom the first choice in most labs. Students who start with this text are often confused when approaching a problem in a more realistic (cost concerned) environment and are confused as to what should be the first attempt at a particular transformation--Corey often tells what worked without mentioning what else was tried first, suggesting to the beginning student that the route ultimately used was the first choice, which often is not the case. Long story short, for advanced students or professors of chemistry this is an ideal text, but it is not something a beginning graduate student wants to study without a great deal of other sources.

Organic chemists and practicing researchers would agree that this book goes hand-in-hand with Nicoloau's Classics in Total Synthesis. While the latter discusses the total synthesis of some of the most fascinating molecules from all over the world, The Logic of Chemical Synthesis is a collection of E. J. Corey's (winner of 1990 Nobel Prize in Chemistry) total syntheses. The book deals almost exclusively with molecules of biological origin.

Part 1 of the book discusses the basic concepts of retrosynthetic analysis. Subtopics include transform-based strategies, structure-based strategies, topological strategies, stereochemical strategies, functional group-based strategies, and convergence of such strategies. Many examples are provided to illustrate these strategies. Molecules shown include Longifolene, Porantherine, Gibberellic acid, Picrotoxinin, and Ginkgolide B. The strategies help generate possible synthetic pathways by logical reduction of molecular complexity. In more plain words, the section help dissect complex molecules and reduce them into smaller precursors.

Part 2 focuses on how to apply the synthesis strategies from Part 1 in synthetic methods and pathways for the construction of many complex target molecules. The syntheses combine general principles presented in Part 1 and further enforces idea of retrosynthetic analysis by showing specific examples and emphasizing on reactions of synthesis. The section breaks down into macrocyclic structures, heterocyclic structures, sesquiterpenoids, polycyclic isoprenoids, prostanoids, and Leukotrienes. The syntheses presented here might be somewhat more difficult to comprehend at first sight. E. J. Corey here presents the straightforward synthesis of molecules without any didactic explanations and comments. Unlike the Nicoloau approach in Classics in Total Synthesis, retrosynthetic analysis of these complex targeting molecules is omitted. The book also skips all the reaction intermediates and reaction mechanisms. A good way to understand the syntheses would be to go backward and make sense out of each step.

Part 3 deals with current chemical literature pertaining to multistep syntheses. The book assumes knowledge of at least one course in organic syntheses which emphasize on synthetic strategies and named reactions.

This is an extraordinarily well-written book which may be used as a learning tool for the starting Organic synthetic chemist, who, with no doubt, will enjoy himself by going through it. Many references are given after each synthesis, so that the reader can refer to specific journals and find out the actual reaction conditions that were carried out for each synthesis. Also, at the end of the book, a list of several natural products and their classical preparations are given with their respective journal citation. I believe that this book provides the organic syntehtic chemist with a feel for the area and its boundless applications and limits. I would recommend this book to anybody engaged in some kind of synthetic work, since there is good chance that this book will have the answer to some of their questions.

An essential handbook for the synthetic organic chemist. This book contains the invaluable techniques in determining retrosynthetic disconnections and should be in any synthetic chemist's library. Informative and to-the-point.

This book is directed towards graduate students or more experienced researchers. It would not be suitable for any but the most advanced undergraduate students.

The first 100 pages (Part I) set forth the logic of retrosynthetic analysis generally, then with examples of the application of major retrosynthetic strategies((transform-based, stereochemical, functional group, and combination) dissected in some detail. Part II (150 pages) consists of many examples of complex syntheses with reaction schemes, which were designed using retrosynthetic analysis, but without description or analysis of he retrosynthetic analysis. Part III (75 pages) is simply a list of complex naturally occuring molecules which had been synthesized, with literature references. There is no description of the retrosynthetic analysis, or the synthetic pathway.

There is no discussion of computer-based retrosynthetic analysis, such as Dr. Corey's LHASA program.

it's a classic. if this is your field either buy this book and keep it on your shelf, or go read it in the library.

As a synthetic chemist, I consider this book as a masterpiece

It teaches you general methods and logic of organic synthesis. There are a lot of example about total synthesis.