Organic chemistry and this book

The [4+2] cycloaddition is certainly one of the most important reactions in organic chemistry, and many books and reviews are dedicated to this topic [54]. In particular, Diels-Alder reaction of (hetero)dienes with (hetero)dienophiles is extensively used at the early stages of numerous syntheses to establish a structural scaffold which is then usually further elaborated toward more complex target structures. The [4+2] cycloaddition is usually an efficient method with predictably high regio and stereoselectivity as such it can enable the synthesis of highly functionalized polycyclic systems. 

The [4+2] cycloaddition certainly represents one of the most important reactions in organic chemistry, and many books and reviews are dedicated to this field.23 Theoretical studies were undertaken, since such an enormous amount of experimental data has been collected that a clear and general view is not obtained readily. Some clarification came with the classification of the reactions in three types according to the electronic demand.24 Besides the theoretical complexity, the experimental conditions are not always easily optimized some reactions occur spontaneously, others need catalysis, pressure and/or heating, encouraging investigators to find improvements by using new activation methods.25... 

In compiling this book, the author has drawn freely from all sources of information available to him—research notes, original memoirs in scientific journals, reference works on organic chemistry, the numerous text books on practical organic chemistry, and pamphlets of manufac turers of specialised apparatus. Whilst individual acknowledgement cannot obviously be made—in many cases the original source has been lost track of—it is a duty and a pleasure to place on record the debt the writer owes to all these sources. Mention must, however, be made of Organic Syntheses, to which the reader is referred for further details of many of the preparations described in the text. 

The electronic theory of organic chemistry, and other developments such as resonance theory, and parallel developments in molecular orbital theory relating to aromatic reactivity have been described frequently. A general discussion here would be superfluous at the appropriate point a brief summary of the ideas used in this book will be given ( 7- )-... 

Fmlfaerexamplesof the ingenious use of Grignaid reagents will be found in many books on synthetic organic chemistry and much recent work in this area was reviewed in a special edition of Bull. Soc. Chim. Franct, 1972, 2127-86, which commemorated the centenary of Victor Grignaid s biith. 

The enthusiastic response to the six previous editions has been very gratifying and suggests that this book has served students well. I hope you will find that this seventh edition of Organic Chemistry builds on the strengths of the first six and serves students even better. I have made every effort to make this new edition as effective, clear, and readable as possible to show the beauty and logic of organic chemistry and to make organic chemistry enjoyable to learn. 

The initial objective of this series of books has been to establish a coherent body of explanatory information on the principles and application technology of relevance for students preparing to take the Associateship examinations of the Society. This particular book has been directed specifically to the subject areas covered by Section A of Paper B the organic chemistry and application of dyes and pigments and of the auxiliaries used with them in textile coloration processes. However, many qualified chemists and colourists interested in the properties of colorants and their auxiliaries have found the First Edition useful as a work of reference. For several reasons it has been convenient to divide the material into two separate volumes 1. Colorants, 2. Auxiliaries. Although fluorescent brighteners share some features in common with colorants, they have been treated as auxiliary products in this book. 

While the student is being educated in preparative work it is necessary for him to acquire some knowledge of the incessant progress in the methods of organic chemistry and at the same time to become familiar with the most recent results of research work. For these reasons a series of changes had to be made when this new edition was prepared. In order not to increase the bulk of the book these objects have been attained by sacrificing examples (e.g. lino-lenic acid, crystal violet, Gattermann-Koch aldehyde synthesis) with which, from this point of view, it seemed possible to dispense. 

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