Organic Chemistry: Structure and Function Seventh Edition

Book Preface

In this textbook, Organic Chemistry: Structure and Function, we present a logical framework for understanding contemporary organic chemistry. This framework emphasizes that the structure of an organic molecule determines how that molecule functions, be it with respect to its physical behavior or in a chemical reaction. In the seventh edition, we have strengthened the themes of understanding reactivity, mechanisms, and synthetic analysis to apply chemical concepts to realistic situations. We have incorporated new applications of organic chemistry in the life and material sciences. In particular, we have introduced some of the fundamentals of medicinal chemistry in over 70 new entries describing drug design, absorption, metabolism, mode of action, and medicinal terminology. We have expanded on improving students’ ability to grasp concepts in a number of sections (“Keys to Success”) and on their problemsolving skills by presenting step-by-step guides in Worked Examples. These and other innovations are illustrated in the following pages. Organic Chemistry: Structure and Function is offered in an online version to give students cost-effective access to all content from the text plus all student media resources. For more information, please visit our Web site at http://ebooks.bfwpub.com.

CONNECTING STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION

This textbook emphasizes that the structure of an organic molecule determines how that molecule functions. By understanding the connection between structure and function, we can learn to solve practical problems in organic chemistry.

Chapters 1 through 5 lay the foundation for making this connection. In particular, Chapter 1 shows how electronegativity is the basis for polar bond formation, setting the stage for an understanding of polar reactivity. Chapter 2 makes an early connection between acidity and electrophilicity, as well as their respective counterparts, basicitynucleophilicity. Chapter 3 relates the structure of radicals to their relative stability and reactivity. Chapter 4 illustrates how ring size affects the properties of cyclic systems, and Chapter 5 provides an early introduction to stereochemistry. The structures of haloalkanes and how they determine haloalkane behavior in nucleophilic substitution and elimination reactions are the main topics of Chapters 6 and 7. Subsequent chapters present material on functional-group compounds according to the same scheme introduced for haloalkanes: nomenclature, structure, spectroscopy, preparations, reactions, and biological and other applications. The emphasis on structure and function allows us to discuss the mechanisms of all new important reactions concurrently, rather than scattered throughout the text. We believe this unifi ed presentation of mechanisms benefi ts students by teaching them how to approach understanding reactions rather than memorizing them.