Recommended Literature
Note: all three textbooks are available in the Science library .
Advanced Organic Chemistry, Part A+B, 5th Ed. by F. A. Carrey & R. J. Sundberg, Kluwer Academic / Plenum Publishers, New York, 2000, ISBN 978-0-387-68346-1 and 978-0-387-68354. This is book is focused on the physical aspects of organic chemistry and mechanisms. It describes in great details physical and structural aspects of mechanistic science. Large body of physical data makes this text a goldmine for physical organic chemist.
Advanced Organic Chemistry – Reaction Mechanisms by R. Bruckner, Harcourt Academic Press, San Diego, 2002, ISBN 0-12-138110-2. Bruckner's textbook is the most modern mechanistic textbook on the market. It is focused mainly on reactions that are daily used in organic chemistry laboratories. Countless examples of classical reactions and their mechanisms are described. This book is particularly useful because of its focus on stereochemical aspects of organic reactions and mechanisms. Likewise, numerous modern reactions & mechanisms that are usually omitted elsewhere (organometallic chemistry mechanisms including Pd-catalyzed couplings) are described here. The physical aspects are not described in a great detail. This book is highly recommended for the students who consider themselves to be organic chemistry/photochemistry practicioners, and those of you who will take "Organic synthesis" class.
March's Advanced Organic Chemistry - Reactions, Mechanisms, and Structure, 5th Ed., by M. B. Smith & J. March, Wiley-Interscience, New York, 2001, ISBN 0-471-58589-0 (price new ca $ 75). It may not be the easiest text to find "things" in, however, once you become an advanced reader of March's, you would see that you find there everything. March's textbook does provide clear and brief explanations and references. This book is a natural lifetime companion of any any chemist who may or will do any organic chemistry in his/hers career.
Perspectives on STRUCTURE AND MECHANISM in Organic Chemistry by F. A. Carrol, Brooks/Cole Publishing, Pacific Grove, 1998, ISBN 0-534--24948-5. Carrol's textbook is considered one of the most important textbooks of advanced organic chemistry. It is quite physical-OChem oriented and presents concepts based on MO theory. It is quite hardcore text and requires a commitment from a would-be reader. The textbook describes only basic reaction mechanisms (substitutions, eliminations, concerted reactions) and does not deal with synthetic concepts, asymmetric reactions or organometallic chemistry. Most importantly, it is "must read" for practicing organic chemists. The MO-perspective will prove invaluable for understanding photochemistry (PCS702).