How To Solve Organic Reaction Mechanisms: A Stepwise Approach

How to Solve Organic Reaction Mechanisms: A Stepwise Approach is an upgraded and much–expanded sequel to the bestselling Reaction Mechanisms at a Glance. This book takes a unique approach to show that a general problem–solving strategy is applicable to many of the common reactions of organic chemistry, demonstrating that logical and step–wise reasoning, in combination with a good understanding of the fundamentals, is a powerful tool to apply to the solution of problems.

Subdivided by functional group, the book uses a checklist approach to problem–solving using mechanistic organic chemistry as its basis. Each mechanistic problem is presented as a two–page spread; the left–hand page introduces the problem and provides a stepwise procedure for working through the reaction mechanisms, with helpful hints about the underlying chemistry. The right–hand page contains the full
worked solution and summary.

This revised edition includes the following updates:

A new chapter which applies the problem–solving strategy to ligand coupling reactions using transition metals

Much–expanded set of fully worked problems

Over 40 further problems (with answers for tutors) for use in tutorials

How to Solve Organic Reaction Mechanisms: A Stepwise Approach is an essential workbook for all students studying organic chemistry and a useful aide for teachers of undergraduate organic chemistry to use in their tutorials.

Preface vi

Abbreviations vii

About the companion website viii

Introduction ix

1 Nucleophilic substitution and elimination 1

2 Alkene and alkyne chemistry 32

3 Nucleophilic additions to carbonyl groups 64

4 Enolate chemistry 96

5 Aromatic chemistry 128

6 Rearrangements 160

7 Ligand coupling processes 192

Index 224