I need a new OChem book....anything other than Klein's?

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  • Thread starter Thread starter ProfuselyQuarky
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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on recommendations for organic chemistry textbooks beyond Klein's 3rd edition. Participants suggest several comprehensive resources, including March's "Advanced Organic Chemistry," Corey’s "Logic of Organic Synthesis," and Nicolau’s "Classics in Total Synthesis." Additionally, Morrison and Boyd's "Organic Chemistry" is highlighted for its clarity and coverage of both introductory and advanced topics. The consensus emphasizes the need for texts that provide thorough explanations, mechanisms, and examples to enhance understanding of organic chemistry concepts.

PREREQUISITES
  • Familiarity with organic chemistry fundamentals
  • Understanding of organic reaction mechanisms
  • Basic knowledge of retrosynthetic analysis
  • Experience using online chemistry resources like PubChem and organic-chemistry.org
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore "Advanced Organic Chemistry" by Francis A. Carey and Richard J. Sundberg
  • Study "Logic of Organic Synthesis" by Elias J. Corey
  • Read "Classics in Total Synthesis" by David W.C. MacMillan and Eric N. Jacobsen
  • Review "Organic Chemistry" by Morrison and Boyd for a comprehensive understanding of mechanisms and stereochemistry
USEFUL FOR

Students and educators in organic chemistry, chemistry majors seeking comprehensive textbooks, and anyone looking to deepen their understanding of organic synthesis and reaction mechanisms.

ProfuselyQuarky
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Heyo. So my friend gave me their copy of Klein's 3rd edition a while ago for when I took ochem. It was loose-leaf and without a binder so they literally just shoved the loose pages in a tote bag lol. I guess that part is irrelevant but it was terrible.

Anyway, the text was pretty good but my profs always deviated from it, commenting that his example problems weren't complex enough (?) and that the material on synthesis could've been done better. I have since returned the book to said friend and now want to get a bound copy of an ochem book for casual practice and reference later on. Is there anything you can recommend? Or perhaps a supplement to Klein if I end up getting the same book.
 
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I can't give you a useful answer. Do you want sort of an encyclopedic guide to organic reactions? Or do you want the explanations, examples, and theory behind them? FWIW I use Pubchem and https://www.organic-chemistry.org/ for all the stuff I forgot, which being old, is a long list.
 
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jim mcnamara said:
I can't give you a useful answer. Do you want sort of an encyclopedic guide to organic reactions? Or do you want the explanations, examples, and theory behind them? FWIW I use Pubchem and https://www.organic-chemistry.org/ for all the stuff I forgot, which being old, is a long list.
Haha I want a text with full explanations, mechanisms, examples, etc.

I appreciate the links! I'm not very good at e-books and websites for studying, but I'll definitely use them, thank you.
 
Well, something like March’s orgo book is certainly comprehensive, if a little advanced. I honestly don’t see an incredible amount of variety from intro orgo books. Though I’m always happy to recommend Corey’s Logic of Organic Synthesis and Nicolau’s Classics in Total Synthesis. The first was written by the creator of retrosynthetic analysis (he won his Nobel for it, among other things), the second is more aspirational: kind of a tour of some of the cleverest and most difficult synthetic feats ever accomplished.
 
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Organic Chemistry by Morrison and Boyd is one of the best explanatory book on introductory Organic Chemistry to Adavanced topics. I personally find that book very easy to read, to refer and to learn. Although, a large part of book is devoted to introductory topics but we do have some advanced topics also in there. Its focus is mainly on me mechanisms and (as I personally found) stereochemistry, i.e. structure.
 
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TeethWhitener said:
Well, something like March’s orgo book is certainly comprehensive, if a little advanced. I honestly don’t see an incredible amount of variety from intro orgo books. Though I’m always happy to recommend Corey’s Logic of Organic Synthesis and Nicolau’s Classics in Total Synthesis. The first was written by the creator of retrosynthetic analysis (he won his Nobel for it, among other things), the second is more aspirational: kind of a tour of some of the cleverest and most difficult synthetic feats ever accomplished.
Thanks for this! I really like the content of both March's book and Nicolau's series.