Organic Chemistry I For Dummies

Organic Chemistry I For Dummies, 2nd Edition (9781119293378) was previously published as Organic Chemistry I For Dummies, 2nd Edition (9781118828076). While this version features a new Dummies cover and design, the content is the same as the prior release and should not be considered a new or updated product.

The easy way to take the confusion out of organic chemistry

Organic chemistry has a long-standing reputation as a difficult course. Organic Chemistry I For Dummies takes a simple approach to the topic, allowing you to grasp concepts at your own pace.

This fun, easy-to-understand guide explains the basic principles of organic chemistry in simple terms, providing insight into the language of organic chemists, the major classes of compounds, and top trouble spots. You'll also get the nuts and bolts of tackling organic chemistry problems, from knowing where to start to spotting sneaky tricks that professors like to incorporate.

• Refreshed example equations
• New explanations and practical examples that reflect today's teaching methods
• Fully worked-out organic chemistry problems

Baffled by benzines? Confused by carboxylic acids? Here's the help you need—in plain English!

Introduction 1

Part 1: Getting Started with Organic Chemistry 5

Chapter 1: The Wonderful World of Organic Chemistry 7

Chapter 2: Dissecting Atoms: Atomic Structure and Bonding 15

Chapter 3: Speaking with Pictures: Drawing Structures 35

Chapter 4: Covering the Bases (And the Acids) 57

Chapter 5: Reactivity Centers: Functional Groups 67

Chapter 6: Seeing in 3-D: Stereochemistry 81

Part 2: Hydrocarbons 97

Chapter 7: What’s in a Name? Alkane Nomenclature 99

Chapter 8: Drawing Alkanes 107

Chapter 9: Seeing Double: The Alkenes 123

Chapter 10: Reactions of Alkenes 137

Chapter 11: It Takes Alkynes: The Carbon-Carbon Triple Bond 149

Part 3: Functional Groups 157

Chapter 12: Replacing and Removing: Substitution and Elimination Reactions 159

Chapter 13: Getting Drunk on Organic Molecules: The Alcohols 175

Chapter 14: Side-by-Side: Conjugated Alkenes and the Diels–Alder Reaction 183

Chapter 15: Lord of the Rings: Aromatic Compounds 193

Chapter 16: Bringing Out the Howitzers: Reactions of Aromatic Compounds 209

Part 4: Spectroscopy and Structure Determination 223

Chapter 17: A Smashing Time: Mass Spectrometry 225

Chapter 18: Seeing Good Vibrations: IR Spectroscopy 241

Chapter 19: NMR Spectroscopy: Hold onto Your Hats, You’re Going Nuclear! 253

Chapter 20: Following the Clues: Solving Problems in NMR 273

Part 5: The Part of Tens 293

Chapter 21: Ten (Or So) Great Organic Chemists 295

Chapter 22: Ten Cool Organic Discoveries 301

Chapter 23: Ten Cool Organic Molecules 307

Part 6: Appendixes 313

Appendix A: Working Multistep Synthesis Problems 315

Appendix B: Working Reaction Mechanisms 323

Appendix C: Glossary 329

Index 339

Arthur Winter is a graduate of Frostburg State University, where he received his BS in chemistry. He received his PhD at the University of Maryland in 2007. He is currently a chemistry professor at Iowa State University.

• Clear explanations of organic chemistry principles
• Logical approaches to solving organic chemistry problems
• Tips to help you ace your Organic Chemistry I course

Grasp the basics of organic chemistry

If you're feeling challenged by organic chemistry, fear not! This easy-to-understand guide explains the basic principles in simple terms, providing insight into the language of organic chemists, the major classes of compounds, and more. Complete with explanations and example equations, this book will help you ace your organic chemistry class!

Inside…

• Tips on deciphering "organic speak"
• How to determine a molecule's structure
• Explanations of hydrocarbons
• An overview of chemical reactions
• Specifics on spectrometry