The Way of Synthesis: Evolution of Design and Methods for Natural Products [Paperback]

Tomas Hudlicky (Author), Josephine W. Reed (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 25, 2007 | ISBN-10: 352731444X | ISBN-13: 978-3527314447 | Edition: 1

This two-colored textbook presents not only synthetic ways to design organic compounds, it also contains a compilation of the most important total synthesis of the last 50 years with a comparative view of multiple designs for the same targets. It explains different tactics and strategies, making it easy to apply to many problems, regardless of the synthetic question in hand. Following a historical view of the evolution of synthesis, the book goes on to look at principles and issues impacting synthesis and design as well as principles and issues of methods. The sections on comparative design cover classics in terpenes and alkaloid synthesis, while a further section covers such miscellaneous syntheses as Maytansine, Palytoxin, Brevetoxin B and Indinavir. The whole is rounded off with a look at future perspectives and, what makes this textbook extraordinairy, with personal recollections of the chemists, who synthesized these fascinating compounds.

With its attractive layout highlighting key parts and tactics using a second color, this is a useful tool for organic chemists, lecturers and students in chemistry, as well as those working in the chemical industry.

"I think, as will many organic chemists, that the Hudlicky book will be the Bible of synthetic organic chemistry, the past, the present and the future. A hallmark publication." (Victor Snieckus)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Hudlick and Reed produced a fascinating read featuring numerous epigraphs, quotations, and personal remarks for synthetic chemists at all levels." (CHOICE, February 2008)

"...The Way of Synthesis provides much information for its price."  (Angewandte International Edition, December 2007)

From the Back Cover

At the heart of organic chemistry is the effective synthesis of natural products or compounds, which are important for pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, for example. These syntheses often include new reactions and novel concepts in organic chemistry, such that there is always a need for innovative strategies and improved methods.
This textbook presents not only synthetic ways to design organic compounds, it also contains a compilation of total synthesis with a comparative view of multiple designs for the same targets. It explains different tactics and strategies, making it easy to apply to many problems, whatever the synthetic question in hand. Following a historical view of the evolution of synthesis, the book goes on to look at principles and issues impacting synthesis and design as well as principles and issues of methods. The sections on comparative design cover classics in terpenes and alkaloid synthesis, while a further section covers such miscellaneous syntheses as Maytansine, Palytoxin, Brevetoxin B and Indinavir. The whole is rounded off with a look at future perspectives.
With its attractive layout highlighting key parts and tactics using a second color this is a useful tool for organic chemists, lecturers and students in chemistry, as well as those working in the chemical industry.

A native of North Carolina, Josephine Reed was educated at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (B.A., English), Appalachian State University (B.A., biology and chemistry), and Virginia Tech (Ph.D., chemistry). Besides her many, many years as a student, she has spent time as a department store clerk, a waitress, a banker, a bartender, and a chemistry instructor. She continues her eclectic career at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, where she shares her life and her work with the co-author and their son. Still an English major at heart, Josie has always had a secret desire to be a writer, preferably a poet, and is delighted to be a part of the making of this book.

Tomas Hudlicky was born and raised in Prague, Czechoslovakia and emigrated to the US in 1968. He received his PhD in 1977 under the direction of Professor Ernest Wenkert in the field of indole alkaloid total synthesis. He then spent a year at the University of Geneva working under the late Professor Wolfgang Oppolzer on the synthesis of isocomene. He began his academic career in 1978 at the Illinois Institute of Technology and moved to Virginia tech (1982) and to the University of Florida(1995). In 2003, he accepted an offer from Brock University where he currently holds the position of Canada Research Chair professor of Organic synthesis and Biocatalysis. His current research interests include the development of enantioselective synthetic methods, bacterial dioxygenase-mediated degradation of aromatics and isolation of chiral metabolites for use in asymmetric synthesis, design and synthesis of fluorinated inhalation anesthetic agents, synthesis of morphine and Amaryllidaceae alkaloids, organic electrochemistry, and design of unnatural oligo-saccharide conjugates and polymers with new molecular properties. His hobbies include martial arts, music, hockey, and skiing and he enjoys all of these with his 17 year old son Jason.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 1018 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-VCH; 1 edition (September 25, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 352731444X
• ISBN-13: 978-3527314447
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 2 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #236,128 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Overview of Synthesis with a Personal Touch, May 30, 2009

By 

Christopher J. Blanton (TN, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Way of Synthesis: Evolution of Design and Methods for Natural Products (Paperback)

I first check out this book at the campus library. Within two days, I had order it from Amazon, knowing that it had to be a perment part of my library. It was also a great help to the Topics in Organic Chemistry course I was taking at the time. I felt it gave me an edge on the other students who were not using it.

Hudlicky's The Way of Synthesis is great book on the history and methods of synthesis of several compounds and classes of compounds. The introduction gives a good overview. Each section documents various important synthesis with well-designed schemes.

My favorite part of the book is the personal stories give by members of the research groups who undertook the syntheses. I highly recommend this book.