9 replies to this topic

[maestro949]

I'm looking for a good introductory book on o-chem. Any suggestions? Academic level is fine as long as it reads fairly well for someone trying to pick up the concepts without a professor.

[John Schloendorn]

I found Vollhardt & Schore very useful. It comes with examples and exercises for each chapter that are good for self-teaching.

[maestro949]

Thanks. Just ordered it along with the student guide & solutions.

[JonesGuy]

I had an absolutely great book for intro Organic Chem. I'll try to dig through my old books to see if I still have it (though they're in storage)

[maestro949]

Thanks John. Excellent book. I like how they dive right into the material.

[JonesGuy]

Crap - I forgot all about this. Thanks for bumping.

[maestro949]

No problem Q. The one John mentioned is packed w/detail and will keep me busy for awhile though I can't seem to get more than 6 pages at a time digested before I doze off! If nothing else I found a problem for my insomnia.

[JonesGuy]

Are you taking Organic Chemistry?

I learned that having a textbook that teaches each topic a different way than the prof (who often teach out of the book) REALLY helps.

[maestro949]

Are you taking Organic Chemistry?

No. Not as a course as in college. I'm just learning it on my own. Not interested in credit, just the knowledge, concepts & being able to speak the language. While having a professor and classroom setting can help most, I often struggle with the pace of learning being spread out in an academic setting. Furthermore the tedium of memorizing details for the sake of a grade and credit just doesn't motivate me. There has to be an attainable goal and defined problem statement for me to take an interest in diving into something as monotonous as o-chem.

I learned that having a textbook that teaches each topic a different way than the prof (who often teach out of the book) REALLY helps.

Agreed a variety of learning tools is key. There's some pretty good software floating about the web too that allows you to visualize the 3D chem structures as well as source code for many simulations too. Pretty cool.

[JonesGuy]

Yeah, that wasn't there when I was taking the courses.

And stereoimages were just becoming popular when I was in biochemistry. Those wonders really helped visualise the issues.