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A.F. Parsons,
Blackwell Science, £27.50, ISBN 0632052929
[to order]

The past twenty years has seen an explosion of interest in free radicals as their pivotal role in both chemistry and biology has come to light. This introductory textbook aims to capture this excitement for advanced level undergraduates, with particular emphasis on the importance of radical reactions in organic synthesis. The book provides a gentle, stepwise introduction to the subject, taking the student from the basic principles of radical reactions through to their applications in industry and their role in biological and environmental processes, allowing the relevance of the subject to be grasped more easily. Suitable for advanced level undergraduates and postgraduates in chemistry and biochemistry, the book will also be invaluable for research level scientists requiring an update in the area.

  A structured introduction to free radical chemistry from an organic chemistry perspective

  Highlights the importance of radical, radical anion and radical cation reactions in synthesis

  With case studies to illustrate reactions in 'landmark' syntheses

  Problems (with outline answers) to test the reader's understanding

Contents

1. Radicals and their importance
2. The basics
3. Radical initiation
4. Radical reactions
5. Radicals in synthesis
6. Functional group transformations
7. Intramolecular cyclisation reactions
8. Intermolecular reactions
9. Radical translocation reactions
10. Radical anions
11. Radical cations
12. Questions, Outline Answers, Further Reading

A.F. Parsons,
Blackwell Publishing, £13.99, ISBN 0632058161
[to order]

The development of university organic chemistry curricula and the trend towards modularisation of chemistry courses has driven the need for smaller, highly focussed and accessible organic chemistry textbooks, which complement the very detailed “standard texts”, to guide students through the key principles of the subject.

This concise and accessible book provides organic chemistry notes for students studying chemistry and related courses at undergraduate level, covering core organic chemistry in a format ideal for learning and rapid revision. The material is organised so that fundamental concepts are introduced early, then built on to provide an overview of the essentials of functional group chemistry and reactivity, leading the student to a solid understanding of the basics of organic chemistry. Graphical presentation of information is central to the book, to facilitate the rapid assimilation, understanding and recall of critical concepts, facts and definitions.

Students wanting a comprehensive and accessible overview of organic chemistry to build the necessary foundations for a more detailed study will find this book an ideal source of the information they require. In addition, the structured presentation, highly graphical nature of the text and practice problems with outline answers will provide an invaluable framework and aid to revision for students preparing for examinations.

Contents

1. Preface
2. Structure and Bonding
3. Functional Groups, Nomenclature and Drawing Organic Compounds
4. Stereochemistry; Reactivity and Mechanism
5. Alkyl Halides
6. Alkenes and Alkynes; Benzenes
7. Carbonyl Compounds: Aldehydes and Ketones
8. Carbonyl Compounds: Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives
9. Spectroscopy
10. Natural Products and Synthetic Polymers
11. Outline Answers to Problems
12. Further Reading
13. Appendices
14. Index

© Department of Chemistry, University of York.