Organic Reaction Mechanisms A Step by Step Approach, Second Edition [Paperback]

This text is designed to teach students how to write organic reaction mechanisms. It starts from the absolute basics - counting the numbers of electrons around a simple atom. Then, in small steps, the text progresses to advanced mechanisms. the end, all the major mechanistic routes have been covered. The text is in the form of interactive sections, which are designed to facilitate the assimilation of the information conveyed, so that by the end the student should already know the contents without the need for extensive revision.Part 1 Basic principles: electron counting; covalent bonding and polarization; shape of molecules; stabilization of charged species; thermodynamic and kinetic effects; acid/base characteristics. Part 2 Mechanisms: nucleophilic substitution reactions; electrophilic substitution reactions; radical substitution reactions; addition reactions to carbon/carbon multiple bonds; addition reactions to carbon/oxygen double bonds; elimination reactions; sequential addition/elimination reactions; rearrangement and fragmentation reactions; redox reactions. Appendices: molecular notations; stereochemical terminology; oxidation numbers.