This volume is devoted to the various aspects of theoretical organic chemistry. In the nineteenth century, organic chemistry was primarily an experimental, empirical science. Throughout the twentieth century, the emphasis has been continually shifting to a more theoretical approach. Today, theoretical organic chemistry is a distinct area of research, with strong links to theoretical physical chemistry, quantum chemistry, computational chemistry, and physical organic chemistry.The objective in this volume has been to provide a cross-section of a number of interesting topics in theoretical organic chemistry, starting with a detailed account of the historical development of this discipline and including topics devoted to quantum chemistry, physical properties of organic compounds, their reactivity, their biological activity, and their excited-state properties.

Provides the background, tools, and models required to understand organic synthesis and plan chemical reactions more efficiently Knowledge of physical chemistry is essential for achieving successful chemical reactions in organic chemistry. Chemists must be competent in a range of areas to understand organic synthesis. Organic Chemistry provides the methods, models, and tools necessary to fully comprehend organic reactions. Written by two internationally recognized experts in the field, this much-needed textbook fills a gap in current literature on physical organic chemistry. Rigorous yet straightforward chapters first examine chemical equilibria, thermodynamics, reaction rates and mechanisms, and molecular orbital theory, providing readers with a strong foundation in physical organic chemistry. Subsequent chapters demonstrate various reactions involving organic, organometallic, and biochemical reactants and catalysts. Throughout the text, numerous questions and exercises, over 800 in total, help readers strengthen their comprehension of the subject and highlight key points of learning. The companion Organic Chemistry Workbook contains complete references and answers to every question in this text. A much-needed resource for students and working chemists alike, this text: -Presents models that establish if a reaction is possible, estimate how long it will take, and determine its properties -Describes reactions with broad practical value in synthesis and biology, such as C-C-coupling reactions, pericyclic reactions, and catalytic reactions -Enables readers to plan chemical reactions more efficiently -Features clear illustrations, figures, and tables -With a Foreword by Nobel Prize Laureate Robert H. Grubbs Organic Chemistry: Theory, Reactivity, and Mechanisms in Modern Synthesis is an ideal textbook for students and instructors of chemistry, and a valuable work of reference for organic chemists, physical chemists, and chemical engineers.

This book provides state-of-the-art information on how studies in applied theoretical organic chemistry are conducted. It highlights the many approaches and tools available to those interested in using computational chemistry to predict and rationalize structures and reactivity of organic molecules. Chapters not only describe theoretical techniques in detail, but also describe recent applications and offer practical advice.Authored by many of the world leaders in the field of applied theoretical chemistry, this book is perfect for both practitioners of computational chemistry and synthetic and mechanistic organic chemists curious about applying computational techniques to their research.Related Link(s)

This approach to the general problem of organic reactivity combines classical organic chemistry with new theoretical ideas developed by the author. The text contains a non-mathematical description of the curve crossing model, expressed in the language of qualitative valence bond theory.

Applications of MO Theory in Organic Chemistry is a documentation of the proceedings of the First Theoretical Organic Chemistry meeting. This text is divided into five sections. Section A contains contributions ranging from the stereochemistry of stable molecules, radicals, and molecular ions, through hydrogen bonding and ion solvation to mathematical analyses of energy hypersurfaces. Section B deals with theoretical studies of organic reactions, including basecatalyzed hydrolysis, protonation, epoxidation, and electrophilic addition to double and triple bonds. Section C consists of topics starting with a qualitative configuration interaction treatment of thermal and photochemical organic reactions, followed by ab initio treatments of photochemical intermediates and a consideration of the role of Rydberg and valence-shell states in photochemistry. Section D provides analyses of methods for the determination and characterization of localized MO and discussions of correlated electron pair functions. Section E covers a very wide range from the application of statistical physics to the treatment of molecular interactions with their environments to a challenge to theoretical organic chemists in the field of natural products, and an introduction to information theory in organic chemistry. This book is a good source of information for students and researchers conducting study on the many areas in theoretical organic chemistry.

People who attended the NATO Advanced Study Institute (ASI) entitled NEW THEORETICAL CONCEPTS FOR UNDERSTANDING ORGANIC REAC TIONS held at Sant Feliu de Gufxols on the Costa Brava of Spain had a unique experience. They have seen the evolution of the field from qualitative arguments through the generation of Potential Energy Surfaces (PES) to the use of PES in molecular dynamics. The excellent lectures that were dedicated to the various aspects of Potential Energy Surfaces clearly revealed a colossal amount of ma terial that represents our current understanding of the overall problem. It is our hope that the present volume will recreate the excitement in the readers that we all experienced during the meeting in Spain. One can say, without too much exaggeration, that chemistry has become and exercise on potential energy surfaces (PES). Structural (position of the energy minima), spectroscopic (vicinity around the minima), and reactivity (reaction path along the surface) properties may be determined from the analysis of PES. New theoretical tools, together with recent developments in computer technology and programming, have allowed to obtain a better knowledge of these surfaces, and to extract further chemical information from them, so new horizons have been added to Theoretical Organic Chemistry.

Textbook on modern theoretical chemistry suitable for advanced undergraduate or graduate students.