Monday 1 April 2013

Advanced Organic Chemistry: Reaction Mechanisms


We are at the start of a revolution in molecular science that will more profoundly change our lives, our culture, indeed, our world than did the Industrial Revolution a century ago. From the human genome project, the largest natural product characterization effort ever, to the search for the molecular signatures of life on other planets, this molecular revolution is creating an ever-expanding view of ourselves and our universe.
At the core of this revolution is chemistry, the quintessential molecular science within which is organic chemistry, a discipline that will surely be the source of many of the major advances in chemistry, biology, medicine, materials science, and environmental science in the 21st century.

In his text on organic chemistry, the translation of which has been impressively led by Professors Harmata and Glaser, Professor Bruckner has masterfully addressed the core concepts of the discipline, providing a rich tapestry of information and insight. The student of contemporary organic chemistry will be well-served by the depth and quality of this treatment. The underlying philosophy of this text is that much of chemistry can be understood in terms of structure, which in turn influences reactivity, ultimately defining the higher order activities of synthesis.Whether one seeks to understand nature or to create the new materials and medicines of the future, a key starting point is thus understanding structure and mechanism. Professor Bruckner addresses the interrelationship of structure and mechanism with the rich insight of one schooled at the interface of physical organic chemistry and synthesis.

His treatment is impressively rigorous, integrated, and broad. He achieves breadth through the careful selection of representative and fundamental reactive intermediates and reactions. Rigor and integration derive from his disciplined adherence to structure, orbital theory, and mechanism. The result is a powerfully coherent treatment that enables the student to address the rich subject matter at hand and importantly by analogy the far-ranging aspects of the field that lie beyond the scope of the book. Extending from his treatment of radicals, nucleophiles, carbenium ions, and organometallic agents to concerted reactions and redox chemistry, Bruckner provides an analysis that effectively merges theory and mechanism with examples and applications. His selection of examples is superb and is further enhanced by the contemporary references to the literature.

The text provides clarity that is essential for facilitating the educational process. This is a wonderfully rich treatment of organic chemistry that will be a great value to students at any level. Education should enable and empower. This text does both, providing the student with the insights and tools needed to address the tremendous challenges and opportunities in the field. Congratulations to Professors Bruckner, Harmata, and Glaser for providing such a rich and clear path for those embarking on an understanding of the richly rewarding field of organic chemistry.


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