Book Review pubs.acs.org/OPRD
Organic Chemistry Principles in Context: A Story Telling Historical Approach Organic Chemistry Principles in Context - A Story Telling Historical Approach. By Mark M. Green. ScienceFromAway: New York, 2012, 476 pp, softcover, $25.00. ISBN 978-0-61570271-1
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ince Organic Chemistry has been taught for more than 100 years, you would have thought that there have been so many different approaches that it would be impossible to find a new way to teach it. Well, Mark Green has managed to find an innovative and fascinating way to interest studentshe calls it a story-telling historical approach. It begins with quite complex issues. Chapter 1 is entitled “From Cellulose and Starch to the Principles of Stereochemistry” using carbohydrate chemistry to illustrate the ideas presented, but his story-telling approach should make it relatively easy for students/readers to grasp the fundamentals. The chapter is full of names and pictures of scientists, thus putting the history of organic chemistry, as well as its principles, into context. Subsequent chapters cover spectroscopy, mechanisms and carbocations, the latter in two chapters with industrial and natural product examples. After are other chapters covering topics such as aromatic chemistry, carbonyl chemistry, carbanions, radicals and polymers and industrial chemistry; the final two chapters cover synthesis. All the chapters are beautifully integrated and written in a journalistic, readable style rather than the usual “stodgy” text book approach, making this book one of the most unusual and interesting “text” books I have read for ages. Industrial examples are woven into each chapter integrating the organic chemistry principles with practical application. Whilst intended for students, all those interested in organic chemistry will learn from reading this fascinating account. Highly recommended, for all ages!
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Trevor Laird, Editor AUTHOR INFORMATION
Notes
The authors declare no competing financial interest.
Published: March 4, 2013 © 2013 American Chemical Society
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dx.doi.org/10.1021/op400045n | Org. Process Res. Dev. 2013, 17, 604−604
