BOOH ReVIeUJf defined. Claisen condensations are mentioned as is the decarboxylation of beta-keto esters, hut the two are not brought together. In the discussion of NMR, splitting is mentioned, and the "n 1"rule introduced, hut the source of the phenomenon is not explained. "J" is not used. Some of the biological examples (use of NAD+ to oxidize alcohols) seem irrelevant where they are presented and interrupt the flow of information. I find an unevenness in the handline of material for this text. Many topics are presented with adequate preparation, explanation, and development, hut many others are not. The text appears to attempt a compromise between a purely descriptive approach to presenting organic chemistry and en aporoach which shows that there isrhvme and ;earon tu organic chemistry. I woulj prefer a text that clearly follows one path or theother. Perhaps this is why previous reviewers have described the text as they have. Or perhaps, all of this reflects my misgivings about the appropriateness of a "short course" in organic chemistry. Jerome E. Gurst Unlveraity of West Florida Pensacola. FL 32514
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Organic Synthasls: The Dlsconnecllon Approach Stuart Warren, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. 391 pp. Flgs. Somerset, NJ, 1983. xii and tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. $39.95.
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This book is designed as a text for a firat course in organic synthe3i.i for graduate students and senior undergraduates. Although its title might suggest a more limited scope, the hook provides a thorough and complete introductory treatment of organic synthesis, including both the most useful synthetic reactions and the strategy involved in solving complicated synthetic problems. Use of the analytical "disconnection" approach is almost incidental, since each example is fallowed by the literature synthesis, complete with a discussion of the reasons for use of the specific reagents. Most oreanic svnthesis texts fall into one " of twoclasses: Either they dwellon thereactionr used in organic synthesis, or they skip over the fundamental reactions and deal almost entirely with synthetic strategy. This book, however, provides a balanced treatment of synthetic reactions and synthetic strategy. The balance is achieved by a method that seems artificial.. vet is made to work smoothly. The chapters alternate between coverage uf synthetic reactions and discussions of synthetic strategy. Typical subjects of the eighteen "reactions" chapters are "Synthesis of Aromatic Compounds," "Two-Group C-X Disconnections," "Amine Synthesis," "Diels-Alder Reactions," "Five-Membered Rings," and "Aromatic Heterocycles." There are twenty-two "strategy" chapters, with subjects like "The Order of Events," "Chemoselectivity," "Protecting Groups," "Control in
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A248
Journal of Chemical Educat ion
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treatment of quantum chematry, there are Carhonyl Condensations," "Stereoseleetivlucid and useful discussions of ..erouo. theorv. it".'' and "Strateev These .., of Rine..Svnthesis." , .. chapters are cardully orpanired and drvelconsrrvntiun of orbital symmrtrs, atumic and oped so that the train of thmght rarriti molecular spectroscopy, and e l r r t r ~ rand smoothly from m e chapter 11, the next. magnetic properties of molecules. There is noth the "r~artioni"chaprrrr and t h ~ also a very clear, albeit largely descriptive, "strawpy"chaptem include the h a i r moterial discussion of the Hartree-Foek self-consistent field method. I cannot think of any other neededby thenovice who has completed only a one-vear oreanic chemistrv course. Each text where this is done as clearly and sncrinrtlv. topic is quickly dtvelqred, however, ton level .-~~..~, In fact, the text is generally so excellent that intertru thc prartlciny
