Mechanisms in Advanced Organic Chemistry

Till about 1959 there appears to be the only book by E.S. Gould (Structure and Mechanism of Organic Chemistry) but the examples mentioned in it are so difficult at several places that they elude the comprehension of even teachers, not to talk of students. Around sixties appeared the book by Jerry March (Advanced Organic Chemistry, Reactions, Mechanism and Structure). It was definitely a much better advance than that of Gould, but it has been made so bulky that its cost has become prohibitive. It adores the racks and shelves of libraries. In view of the above difficulties of teacher and students, the present book has been brought out.

Some of its special chapters are the Pericyclic Reactions, which includes Cheletropic, Electrocyclic, sigma tropic and cycloaddition reactions. The concept of stereochemistry and conformation deserve special attention not because they cater to the needs of higher students, but they are immensely useful for candidates trying for UGC and CSIR sponsored competitive examinations, but also those preparing for Union Public Service Commission and State Public Service Commission Exams. The candidates will find the chapters immensely useful and is sure to rouse interest in them in knowing more about mechanistic chemistry.

Spectroscopy is another topic, a good knowledge of which is expected from any good chemist. The spectroscopy finds immense applications in the identification of several unknown compounds in the field of research and medicine. Here one has to be very careful in elucidating the correct structure of entities. Moreover, in every examination (Competitive or regular) one has to show his skill in the area of spectroscopy and therefore chapters on spectroscopy giving a clear and lucid account is also noteworthy.