Organic Synthesis

by Michael B. Smith

Book Overview

Organic Synthesis, Fourth Edition, provides a reaction-based approach to this important branch of organic chemistry. Updated and accessible, this eagerly-awaited revision offers a comprehensive... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0070487162
• ISBN13: 9780070487161
• Release Date: January 1994
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies
• Length: 1595 Pages
• Weight: 5.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 2.5" x 7.7" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Great Text

I don't own this book, but the guy at the desk next to me does, and I plan to steal it when he's not looking. What I've read so far has been wonderfully presented in a clear, concise manner. As others have pointed out, there are no bells and whistles about this book. The book is organized by reaction type, and where applicable, representative examples from the synthetic literature are given. Smith presents the syntheses, comments insightfully on them, and in the cases where multiple syntheses of the same target have been accomplished, he makes reasonable comparisons. I don't know that this book will ultimately supplant the March text as a primary reference, but it certainly provides a valuable supplement.

This book is second only to March

It's amazing to me that Smith is able to gather so many resources and consolidate them into one place. Everything is there. Reagents. Cross references to books that deal only in reagents, and so on and so on.Often, one sees textbooks that give reactions and simply assume that they will work without citing a reference where someone has actually gone through the trouble to see if the reaction really will work. (This, I have found, is the quickest way to waste time in the lab. The easier it is to locate a protocol, the higher your lab productivity is.)It's also good to see that he's taken the time and trouble to whittle away some of the pretty colors that a lot of books put in in order to try to draw the reader's attention away from the glaring lack of substance.This book may, in the next few years, supercede the March text because a good number of his references are from within the past 5 years (50%, I believe), and it is such that if you are working in the lab and need to find *that* particular reference, then you can easily go and look it up.

An excellent advanced text.

The 2/e is a comprehensive look at modern methods in organic synthesis. Smith avoids the trend, common in many books, of using too many colors and myriad worthless illustrations. He instead provides a clean, easy to read volume for the advanced undergraduate or graduate organic student. The references at the end of each chapter are outstanding. There are often in excess of 75 citations per chapter, readily allowing further study.I would like to respond to the criticism of some reviewers regarding typographical errors. The 2/e does seem to be much better than the 1/e in this regard. Also the author maintains a well documented list of typos on his website. All in all, this book is easily the rival of Carey & Sundberg's Part B and well worth the investment for any organic/pharm chemists out there.

Organic Synthesis, 2nd edition

I am the author and rated it high for obvious reasons. I was not going to rate it, but could not submit this form without it. I am taking the unusual step of writing because virtually all current reviews refer to the 1st edition - NOT the 2nd. This NEW book has been completely rewritten and while there are probably errors, it is NOT error-riddled like the 1st edition. I simply ask people to take a look with a fresh eye. McGraw-Hill and I have tried very hard to make it a quality book, and I am confident it will be very useful. If you have any questions or comments please contact me and I will do my best to answer them. Thanks for your indulgence.

the best in synthesis

This is a really helpfull book for the organic chemist, specially new ones who can find here an organized reference of any kind of routes for organic synthesis. Ive been using this book in all my thesis work, with no loose of time researching in the library. Its very easy to use and understand . For me is the best book of organic chemistry, after looking at it you would see the power you have in your hands with it.