This book is a basic reference providing concise, accurate definitions of the key terms and concepts of organic chemistry. Not simply a listing of organic compounds, structures, and nomenclatures, the book is organized into topical chapters in which related terms and concepts appear in close proximity to one another, giving context to the information and helping to make fine distinctions more understandable. Areas covered include: bonding, symmetry, stereochemistry, types of organic compounds, reactions, mechansims, spectroscopy, and photochemistry.

MILTON ORCHIN, PHD, is Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Cincinnati.

ROGER S. MACOMBER, PHD, is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Cincinnati.

ALLAN R. PINHAS, PHD, is Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Cincinnati.

R. MARSHALL WILSON, PHD, is Distinguished Research Professor and Head of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Cincinnati.

Preface.

1. Atomic Orbital Theory.

2. Bonds Between Adjacent Atoms: Localized Bonding, Molecular Orbital Theory.

3. Delocalized (Multicenter) Bonding.

4. Symmetry Operations, Symmetry Elements, and Applications.

5. Classes of Hydrocarbons.

6. Functional Groups: Classes of Organic Compounds.

7. Molecular Structure Isomers, Stereochemistry, and Conformational Analysis.

8. Synthetic Polymers.

9. Organometallic Chemistry.

10. Separation Techniques and Physical Properties.

11. Fossil Fuels and Their Chemical Utilization.

12. Thermodynamics, Acids and Bases, and Kinetics.

13. Reactive Intermediates (Ions, Radicals, Radical Ions, Electron-Deficient Species, Arynes).

14. Types of Organic Reaction Mechanisms.

15. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy.

16. Vibrational and Rotational Spectroscopy: Infrared, Microwave, and Raman Spectra.

17. Mass Spectrometry.

18. Electronic Spectroscopy and Photochemistry.

Name Index.

Compound Index.

General Index.