Based on the U.S. text Organic Chemistry: A Brief Course, this edition continues to guide a diverse group of organic chemistry students by selectively revealing the logic of organic chemistry through carefully designed organization, pedagogy, problem solving, and illustrations.
A text that is both modern in outlook and selective in coverage, this edition is further enhanced by the introduction of the following:
- Molecular orbital theory which emphasizes the visual understanding of chemical bonds and reactions.
- Curved-arrow notation which illustrates how organic reactions occur in terms of the movement of electrons.
- The topic of stereochemistry early in the book so that the students have a better grasp of the concept of organic compounds in three-dimensional structures and methods of interconversion.
- Chapter previews to aid students’ revision prior to examinations.
Robert C. Atkins was born in Massachusetts and educated in New Jersey. He received an S.B. in chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1966 and a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1970. Following a year of postdoctoral study at Columbia University he was appointed to the faculty of James Madison University, where he holds the rank of professor of chemistry. He is the author of Study Guide to Accompany Chemistry; Principles and Applications (McGraw-Hill, 1979) and the co-author (with Professor Carey) of Study Guide and Solutions Manual to Accompany Organic Chemistry (McGraw-Hill, 2000).
Professor Atkins has done research in the area of pyrolysis reaction mechanisms. He also has an active interest in laboratory safety and has served for more than 25 years as his departments safety coordinator. Since 1985 Professor Atkins has also volunteered as a technical advisor to both a local and a regional hazardous materials team.