Organic Synthesis [Hardcover]

Michael B. Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1994 | ISBN-10: 0070487162 | ISBN-13: 978-0070487161

Written for a graduate or possibly senior level first organic course in synthesis/reactions for students in chemistry, medicinal chemistry, or pharmacy, "Organic Synthesis" provides in one text a review of basic techniques and tools of organic chemistry as well as a thorough introduction to the synthesis process. The focus of the book is on familiarizing the student with the reactions necessary for synthesis, identifying and developing the strategies and methods of doing synthesis as well as developing the mental processes which must be used in planning and executing a synthesis, and then doing the synthesis. The text includes a unique chapter containing total synthesis done by students along with instructor commentaries as examples of approaches and potential pitfalls to synthesis. Written so that chapters may be used independently for maximum flexibility, the text has two major parts: chapters 2-7 cover functional and protecting groups and chapters 8-9, 11-13 cover carbon bonds. Chapter 1 introduces three fundamental themes found in modern synthetic organic chemistry that are used throughout the text: disconnection, stereochemistry and conformation control. Chapters 2-5 provide a review of the basic principles and tools of organic chemistry with a focus on those reaction types necessary for synthesis, while chapter 6 describes stereochemistry and conformation as applied to organic synthesis. Chapter 10 provides a novel approach to teaching synthesis. Coming after the student has had some introduction to synthesis processes and developed some tools (Chapters 8-9), it provides the student with an overview of the various strategies and ways of doing syntheses, rather than have the student simply read or work through a list of synthesis after synthesis. Chapter 14 contains several total syntheses done by students, along with instructor commentary, as examples of approaches and potential pitfalls. Approximately 40 class-tested and evaluated homework problems accompany each chapter, many with references in the literature to actual experiments.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1250 pages
• Publisher: Mcgraw-Hill College (January 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070487162
• ISBN-13: 978-0070487161
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.4 x 2.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,785,865 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #30 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Chemistry > Organic > Synthesis

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Organic Synthesis, 2nd edition, December 18, 2001

By 

Michael B. Smith (Storrs, CT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Organic Synthesis (Hardcover)

I am the author and rated it high for obvious reasons. I was not going to rate it, but could not submit this form without it. I am taking the unusual step of writing because virtually all current reviews refer to the 1st edition - NOT the 2nd. This NEW book has been completely rewritten and while there are probably errors, it is NOT error-riddled like the 1st edition. I simply ask people to take a look with a fresh eye. McGraw-Hill and I have tried very hard to make it a quality book, and I am confident it will be very useful. If you have any questions or comments please contact me and I will do my best to answer them.
Thanks for your indulgence.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive, but too many mistakes to be worthwhile, March 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Organic Synthesis (Hardcover)

This book gives a good overview of modern synthetic methods, but with mistakes on almost every page, it is not worth the trouble to figure out exactly what he is talking about. The book is exhaustively referenced, however, allowing quick access back into the primary literature to get more detailed explanations and clarifications.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is second only to March, March 5, 2003

By 

Lemas Mitchell "Libertarian/ Empiricist" (Hunan Changsha) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Organic Synthesis (Hardcover)

It's amazing to me that Smith is able to gather so many resources and consolidate them into one place. Everything is there. Reagents. Cross references to books that deal only in reagents, and so on and so on.

Often, one sees textbooks that give reactions and simply assume that they will work without citing a reference where someone has actually gone through the trouble to see if the reaction really will work. (This, I have found, is the quickest way to waste time in the lab. The easier it is to locate a protocol, the higher your lab productivity is.)

It's also good to see that he's taken the time and trouble to whittle away some of the pretty colors that a lot of books put in in order to try to draw the reader's attention away from the glaring lack of substance.

This book may, in the next few years, supercede the March text because a good number of his references are from within the past 5 years (50%, I believe), and it is such that if you are working in the lab and need to find *that* particular reference, then you can easily go and look it up.