Organic Chemistry

[from Preface]

Thirty-odd years ago, when the first edition appeared, it was a slim volume of only 900 pages. Yet, in our opinion—then, and now—it pretty well presented basic organic chemistry as it was then: a science whose theory had come of age and could be understood — and enjoyed — by beginners. The pattern underlying organic chemistry had begun to emerge, and it was our aim to reveal it to the students. With the structural theory before them, it soon became apparent students could begin to study organic chemistry, not through rote memorization, but through understanding.

But organic chemistry has, of course, continued to grow, and at a tremendous rate. Theories have been refined and exceptions to generalizations found: things are not as simple as they once seemed. New concepts and new tools have appeared and established themselves as part of basic organic chemistry: orbital symmetry, for example, on nuclear magnetic resonance. Many factors have been found to be much more important than was previously realized: the role of the solvent, stereochemistry in all its aspects, the juxtaposition of reacting groups. Hosts of new reagents have been devised: chemoselective, regioselective, stereoselective.