Organic Chemistry 4th Edition [Paperback]

Paula Yurkanis Bruice (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2004

Special International Edition. 1228 Pages plus appendix.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Pearson Prentice Hall (2004)
• ASIN: B000VCVPC4
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 7.9 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,574,514 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top Notch Organic Text, May 9, 2003

By 

M. Werner (Lake Superior State University) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Organic Chemistry, Fourth Edition (Hardcover)

This text is a remarkable departure from the mundane world of organic chemistry texts. Not only does Dr. Bruice lay a good foundation by discussing electronic structure and nomenclature right upfront, she does a great job of including a historical perspective of the subject as well. This book is about understanding the material and applying your new found knowledge to solve problems never before encountered. This book is not about memorizing 400 reactions and trying to fit everything together on your own. One of the main departures this text has to offer is the detailed discussion of catalysis and bioorganic chemistry. Most students really enjoy the biochemical aspects of the subject and Dr. Bruice makes these connections throughout the book. I highly recommend this book dispite the few typographical errors mentioned in other reviews (what text doesn't have a few?). The improved artwork and simplicity of dialog is refreshing.

M. Werner (Asst. Prof. Organic and Biochemistry)
Lake Superior State University

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Yes, but with restrictions, August 6, 2004

By 

A. Bahel "docmd" (sidney, ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Organic Chemistry, Fourth Edition (Hardcover)

This is an excellent book that uses illuminating diagrams and examples to explain fundamental concepts. It is by no means, however, an easy reader. To understand the concepts you must read the chapters and do the problems at least 3 to 4 times. (if not more). I worked very hard in orgo, which is one of the reasons why I did well in it. The only reason that kept this rating from being higher, was the solutions manual and the chapter on stereochemistry. The solutions manual is very selective in it's explanations. The solutions to the problems are not explained in a way that everyone can understand it. A solutions manual should always include detailed explanations of every problem, and this solutions manual certainly doesn't do that. Then, on the flip side, if you thorougly understand the chapter before attempting the problems at the end of each chapter, then the solutions manual is an excellent guide. Chapter 5, the stereochemistry chapter, at least all of it, except section 5.19, is extremely poorly written. Stereochemistry is a very tough and important subject, and although the chapter was 50 pages long, it was written very inadequately with examples that don't exemplify simple concepts. Get a model set to learn stereochem, I finally learned at the end of Ochem 2, but that was because I finally understood the basics, and understood that it was extremely easy. Overall, this book is not for someone that doesn't have an interest in ochem, but for someone that takes passion with the subject. I never went to class, but i loved the subject, so the book, for me was excellent. If you love chemistry-BUY THIS BOOK.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Introductory Text for the Beginner, July 29, 2006

By 

Shawn Wilkinson "Natural Skeptic" (Baton Rouge, LA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Organic Chemistry, Fourth Edition (Hardcover)

With colorful illustrations and a supplemental website for extra practice and concept connection, this text is one of the better texts for introducing organic chemistry. As well, there is a teachers' resource from the publisher which allows easy creation of multimedia presentations for the classroom or preparing online notes for the students. It's organized well in the beginning, although some of the topics at the end get a bit redundant. The redundancy has its purpose, though, as it helps to demonstrate the parallels of laboratory chemistry and the in vivo biochemistry.

The astute instructor will be able to guide the beginner in the typographical errors in the text, which are all proposed to have been fixed in the newest edition (though I have not verified it personally). When the market value drops substantially, I recommend this edition. However, if you want a more intensive study of organic chemistry, I recommend the Advanced Organic Chemistry series by Caery and Sundberg. Though not as colorful nor student-friendly, those texts are byfar the most intensive study of organic chemistry I have personally come across.