Serious Science with an Approach Built for Today’s Students Smith's Organic Chemistry continues to breathe new life into the organic chemistry world. This student and instructor reviewed, new 2nd edition presents information in the form of bulleted lists and tables, with minimal use of text paragraphs. Janice Smith saw a great need for stepped-out worked examples; incorporated biological, medicinal, and environmental applications; and has built an art program that has yet to be seen in organic chemistry! Highlighting the art program are micro-to-macro art pieces that visually guide students to conceptually understand organic chemistry. Organic Chemistry is the text you need to see before making your organic chemistry decision.
Carbonyls are the ultimate plot twist- was not expecting that malonic ester synthesis at the end. MIND BLOWN. And then when she got to the part about the Michael reaction I was like woaaaaah Michael slow down there. The end of this book is definitely better than the beginning, it will definitely cause more of a reaction than the first few chapters. Well done Janice, well done 👏🏻
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I'm a biochemistry major. I have read this book 3 times. I'm not even kidding. Smith does a very good job laying out a progressive introduction to organic chemistry reactions and concepts. This book will build your synthesis skills. The introductory material is very valuable and I still find myself revisiting it for a refresher. Organic chemistry was hard for me and unlike anything I had ever learned before. You have to find a way to conceptualize these things in your head. A model kit may be the best investment you make to understand stereochemistry and resonance. This stuff isn't easy for most people. Re-read the sections, do the homework, and make flashcards for the reagents.
If you can get past the initial roadblock and start to see these reactions more like pieces of a puzzle... and then learn how to put these various pieces together... you can start to build whatever you want. Biochem students, watch out, the very end of the book may not be covered in your organic chemistry courses but go ahead and learn the amino acid material at the back. It will make your life easier later on.
I SPENT 9 MONTHS READING THIS ENTIRE BOOK . I AM DONE!!!!!!! IM FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE . THANKS TO MY PROFESSORS FOR NOTHING I LEARNED EGERYTBING FROM THIS FUCKING BOOK AND I AM AN OCHEM GOD AND NOTHING CAN STOP ME
yes this counts as a book . yes i am counting it toward my 2023 book goal . i think it was honestly a solid book like i did master ochem just through this textbook! 😁 NEVER AGAIN
This is perhaps one of the best textbooks that I've read. The explanations given are simple enough to follow but the book also shows the various non-trivial applications worldwide that they have. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to get a serious grasp of organic chemistry or anyone who is curious to understand more of how our world works and is not intimidated by the chemistry of it.
Reading this book was as if someone got into my brain and wrote it exactly how I'd want it. She just guides you along! Good luck finding a better textbook.
Hate it when there are so many practice questions, but you have to buy a separate solutions manual to see if you're on the right track. Also, the early chapters do not go into near enough depth to allow you to answer all the chapter review questions. Garbage textbook for a notoriously difficult class in undergrad; Janice Smith and McGraw hill suck
This book itself was good. I just don't like organic chemistry... and it's apparently a weak spot for me. Thus, the rating is not for the book quality, just for my disdain for the subject matter. Sad, but true.