Customer Reviews

Vogel's Textbook of Practical Organic Chemistry (5th Edition)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I took an undergraduate course on advanced organic laboratory method and Vogel was meant to be an incredible reference and life-saver. The overwhelming size of the book might seem somewhat frightening yet the useful information is worth the size and money.

Pavia's "Introduction to Organic Laboratory Techniques" might seem to be a water-down version of Vogel. Vogel is extremely well-written and detailed in laboratory tecniques such as chromatography, distillation, HPLC, crystallization, extraction, etc. A chapter is also devoted to discussion of solvents and reagents, which helps tremendously for separation experiments.

Vogel also discusses aliphatic, heterocyclic, and aromatic compounds and introduces spectroscopic methods. Vogel is recommended for advanced lab course that requires frequent modification of lab procedures and reference for chemists.

It has the most trustworthy procedures for the synthesis of organic compounds with the underlying philosophy behind the reactions complete with the mechanism. Even briefly described procedures are easy to follow. An example in point is the Swern's oxidation. It also includes characterization of compounds using both chemical and spectroscopic methods thus covering the whole spectrum of practical organic chemistry. Almost all the other information to be required by an organic synthetic chemist in the laboratory is also included. I do not know of any other single book that can rival the Vogel. I, however, would very much like to see a moderately priced new edition.

The new Vogel is not as detailed in basic techniques but does manage to cover basic processes in a way seldom seen in modern organic lab guides. I should be on the shelf of every serious organic and biochemist along with the Fieser & Fieser series "Reagents for Organic Chemistry".

This book is really good but it's time for a new edition ! Compared to another excellent book (Jerry March) it is also too expensive. I would give 5 stars to a new and cheaper edition.

The book is very good for reference, yet it is too expensive for graduate students. I would also suggest taking $$$off, relative to March's and C&S's good text, this one is really forbidding.

Vogel's Handbook is a must for all practising organic and analytical chemists. Ask me - I have misplaced the one and only copy of the South African Police Service's Forensic Science Laboratory. I thought about reordering a replacement copy, untill I saw the price! In our money the cost is equivalent to one month's rent of a bachelors flat. Considering my alternatives I opted for rather writing a winning review of the publication, thus immediately take $100 of the retail price. Clever ain't it? Please inform me when I can collect my $100.