Customer Reviews

Organic Chemistry: A Comprehensive Degree Text and Source Book (Albion Chemical Science Series)

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In my top ten book list on the subject. Its an overall great book for the chemist and graduate student and belongs in the lab and/or as a supplement text to an advanced organic chemistry course. Very, very factual and possesses an interesting layout. The book starts with discussing pure substances and laboratory techniques before discussing even the nature of the chemical bond. I thought that was pretty cool, because most modern books on organic chemistry very seldom do that right away or at all.

I am only disappointed with the lack of spectra and chapter problems in the book. But, I believe the book was written for a practicing chemist, and dedicates itself to synthesis insight. Perhaps its major fault is not dedicating a chapter to acid/base chemistry, nor using pKa values throughout the text in later chapters where it demands attention.

The translator did a great job, because it reads very well and is not 'dry' at all. The reader is kept interested with mentions to the biological world and chemical industry/production. The end of the book discusses the organic chemistry of biological pathways and simple biochemistry from an organic chemist's eyes.

The author's provide great references, which are footnoted, rather than appearing at the end of the chapter (which I find more convenient). I appreciate that the history of organic chemistry is presented seamlessly in the chapters and further makes it a great read. I'm not sure why more people don't know about this book (in the US at least).

This is the 22nd edition!