Principles of ionic organic reactions: by E. R. Alexander. 318 pages, 15 × 24 cm. New York, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1950. Price, $5.50

✍ Scribed by Donald H. Russell

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1950
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 85 KB
• Volume: 250
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0016-0032
• DOI: 10.1016/0016-0032(50)90938-0

✦ Synopsis

In recent years there has been a great deal of stress placed on reaction mechanisms in organic chemistry. It has been found that a great many organic reactions undergo the same basic transformations no matter what compounds may be reacting. These basic mechanisms can be represented by electronic configurations, and by this method several atypical as well as normal reactions may be explained.

The contents of this book are divided into two main parts: the first part apprizes the reader of some of the simplest intermediates from which most ionic organic reactions can be built. The second part interprets some of the common reactions such as the Claisen condensatlon and the Grignard reaction in terms of electronic formulae. The author has attempted to emphasize the similarities between reactions rather than the differences that exist, and to stress the subject of organic chemistry he omits as much mathematics and physical chemistry as possible.

Some chemists still tend to view reaction mechanisms as merely a sophisticated means of representing a reaction, and not as an aid in the understanding of each step of particular transformations with no attempt to replace the functional formulae now in use. The reviewer feels that, if more colleges and universities would incorporate electronic mechanisms in their organic chemistry courses, students would abandon rote learning and be able to understand why a reaction takes place. A few unreasonable mechanisms have appeared for particularly abnormal reactions, but this should not detract from this means of representation.

This book, designated for advanced undergraduates and first year graduate students, is easily read and the organization of material is excellent. The degree of accuracy is very high and this further recommends it as a text book. The author has presented the theories most • generally accepted, and has avoided the controversial mechanisms mentioned above. He has included such data as necessary to lend support to the theories without going into undue complexities. It will certainly serve as an excellent text book as well as a valuable addition to the chemist's bookshelf.