Best organic chemistry books according to redditors
We found 314 Reddit comments discussing the best organic chemistry books. We ranked the 123 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 314 Reddit comments discussing the best organic chemistry books. We ranked the 123 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
If you move the decimal over. This is about 1,000 in books...
(If I had to pick a few for 100 bucks: encyclopedia of country living, survival medicine, wilderness medicine, ball preservation, art of fermentation, a few mushroom and foraging books.)
Medical:
Where there is no doctor
Where there is no dentist
Emergency War Surgery
The survival medicine handbook
Auerbach’s Wilderness Medicine
Special Operations Medical Handbook
Food Production
Mini Farming
encyclopedia of country living
square foot gardening
Seed Saving
Storey’s Raising Rabbits
Meat Rabbits
Aquaponics Gardening: Step By Step
Storey’s Chicken Book
Storey Dairy Goat
Storey Meat Goat
Storey Ducks
Storey’s Bees
Beekeepers Bible
bio-integrated farm
soil and water engineering
Organic Mushroom Farming and Mycoremediation
Food Preservation and Cooking
Steve Rinella’s Large Game Processing
Steve Rinella’s Small Game
Ball Home Preservation
Charcuterie
Root Cellaring
Art of Natural Cheesemaking
Mastering Artesian Cheese Making
American Farmstead Cheesemaking
Joe Beef: Surviving Apocalypse
Wild Fermentation
Art of Fermentation
Nose to Tail
Artisan Sourdough
Designing Great Beers
The Joy of Home Distilling
Foraging
Southeast Foraging
Boletes
Mushrooms of Carolinas
Mushrooms of Southeastern United States
Mushrooms of the Gulf Coast
Tech
farm and workshop Welding
ultimate guide: plumbing
ultimate guide: wiring
ultimate guide: home repair
off grid solar
Woodworking
Timberframe Construction
Basic Lathework
How to Run A Lathe
Backyard Foundry
Sand Casting
Practical Casting
The Complete Metalsmith
Gears and Cutting Gears
Hardening Tempering and Heat Treatment
Machinery’s Handbook
How to Diagnose and Fix Everything Electronic
Electronics For Inventors
Basic Science
Chemistry
Organic Chem
Understanding Basic Chemistry Through Problem Solving
Ham Radio
AARL Antenna Book
General Class Manual
Tech Class Manual
MISC
Ray Mears Essential Bushcraft
Contact!
Nuclear War Survival Skills
The Knowledge: How to rebuild civilization in the aftermath of a cataclysm
My main hobby is reading textbooks, so I decided to go beyond the scope of the question posed. I took a look at what I have on my shelves in order to recommend particularly good or standard books that I think could characterize large portions of an undergraduate degree and perhaps the beginnings of a graduate degree in the main fields that interest me, plus some personal favorites.
Neuroscience: Theoretical Neuroscience is a good book for the field of that name, though it does require background knowledge in neuroscience (for which, as others mentioned, Kandel's text is excellent, not to mention that it alone can cover the majority of an undergraduate degree in neuroscience if corequisite classes such as biology and chemistry are momentarily ignored) and in differential equations. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory and Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology were used in my classes on cognition and learning/memory and I enjoyed both; though they tend to choose breadth over depth, all references are research papers and thus one can easily choose to go more in depth in any relevant topics by consulting these books' bibliographies.
General chemistry, organic chemistry/synthesis: I liked Linus Pauling's General Chemistry more than whatever my school gave us for general chemistry. I liked this undergraduate organic chemistry book, though I should say that I have little exposure to other organic chemistry books, and I found Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis to be very informative and useful. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to take instrumental/analytical/inorganic/physical chemistry and so have no idea what to recommend there.
Biochemistry: Lehninger is the standard text, though it's rather expensive. I have limited exposure here.
Mathematics: When I was younger (i.e. before having learned calculus), I found the four-volume The World of Mathematics great for introducing me to a lot of new concepts and branches of mathematics and for inspiring interest; I would strongly recommend this collection to anyone interested in mathematics and especially to people considering choosing to major in math as an undergrad. I found the trio of Spivak's Calculus (which Amazon says is now unfortunately out of print), Stewart's Calculus (standard text), and Kline's Calculus: An Intuitive and Physical Approach to be a good combination of rigor, practical application, and physical intuition, respectively, for calculus. My school used Marsden and Hoffman's Elementary Classical Analysis for introductory analysis (which is the field that develops and proves the calculus taught in high school), but I liked Rudin's Principles of Mathematical Analysis (nicknamed "Baby Rudin") better. I haven't worked my way though Munkres' Topology yet, but it's great so far and is often recommended as a standard beginning toplogy text. I haven't found books on differential equations or on linear algebra that I've really liked. I randomly came across Quine's Set Theory and its Logic, which I thought was an excellent introduction to set theory. Russell and Whitehead's Principia Mathematica is a very famous text, but I haven't gotten hold of a copy yet. Lang's Algebra is an excellent abstract algebra textbook, though it's rather sophisticated and I've gotten through only a small portion of it as I don't plan on getting a PhD in that subject.
Computer Science: For artificial intelligence and related areas, Russell and Norvig's Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach's text is a standard and good text, and I also liked Introduction to Information Retrieval (which is available online by chapter and entirely). For processor design, I found Computer Organization and Design to be a good introduction. I don't have any recommendations for specific programming languages as I find self-teaching to be most important there, nor do I know of any data structures books that I found to be memorable (not that I've really looked, given the wealth of information online). Knuth's The Art of Computer Programming is considered to be a gold standard text for algorithms, but I haven't secured a copy yet.
Physics: For basic undergraduate physics (mechanics, e&m, and a smattering of other subjects), I liked Fundamentals of Physics. I liked Rindler's Essential Relativity and Messiah's Quantum Mechanics much better than whatever books my school used. I appreciated the exposition and style of Rindler's text. I understand that some of the later chapters of Messiah's text are now obsolete, but the rest of the book is good enough for you to not need to reference many other books. I have little exposure to books on other areas of physics and am sure that there are many others in this subreddit that can give excellent recommendations.
Other: I liked Early Theories of the Universe to be good light historical reading. I also think that everyone should read Kuhn's The Structure of Scientific Revolutions.
https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-As-Second-Language/dp/1119110661
This book was really helpful.
I had to study non-stop for Ochem. It was my last prereq. It was a good experience in the sense that studying for PA school has been very similar.
Chemistry has some expensive textbooks (each separate word is its own link)
I'm gonna jump on the top comment to add: David R. Klein's books Organic Chemistry as a Second Language was extremely useful as supplementary material. It really helped clear up any confusion I felt during lecture.
I've got that one (gets it off the shelf) It's "The Prentice Hall Molecular Model set for Organic Chemistry". Here it is on Amazon. It's pretty pricey (aren't they always?), but much better than those ones with the plastic straws.
For pleasure:
Undergraduate
Organic Chemistry as a Second Language, The art of writing reasonable organic reaction mechanisms
Graduate
I found that Clayden was an excellent resource to learn organic chemistry and get an intuition/deeper understanding of why reactions proceed in the directions that they do. I did not find the typical textbooks that are used in classes, such as Organic Chemistry by Bruice to be nearly as useful, as the emphasis was on covering a wide range of reactions and not focusing on what they have in common.
I would not recommend one of the classic higher-level bibles, such as March's Advanced Organic Chemistry to you at this stage.
If you plan on continuing to study organic chemistry after this first course, I would recommend that you take a good course (or multiple courses) in physical organic chemistry. You will develop a much better understanding of reaction mechanisms and chemical kinetics if you do. Good texts for this field are Carey and Sundberg's Advanced Organic Chemistry Parts A and B, and Anslyn and Dougherty's Modern Physical Organic Chemistry.
Organic Chemistry as a Second Language literally was the reason I aced orgo.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1119110661/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_mUrPBbBDTZMQV
Organic Chemistry as a Second language.
Learn it
Live it
Love it
This is an excellent book to get you familiar with the basic concepts:
https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-Second-Language-Semester/dp/1118144341
Can find it as a PDF on Libgen
You need to work backwards, figuring out what bonds you can make from two smaller pieces, then continuing to work backwards from those pieces until you get back to something commercially available with 4 carbons or fewer, or cyclohexene. I learned a lot about doing that years ago from the original edition of this book: https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Synthesis-Disconnection-Stuart-Warren/dp/0470712368
http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-Jonathan-Clayden/dp/0198503466
Clayden, Greeves, Warren, and Wothers Organic Chemistry
I'm a second year Grad Student and this is still one of the best I've read for reference or for learning source.
Classics in Total Synthesis: Targets, Strategies, Methods Paperback
by K. C. Nicolaou
http://www.amazon.com/Classics-Total-Synthesis-Targets-Strategies/dp/3527292314
Organic Synthesis: The Disconnection Approach Paperback – December
by Stuart Warren
http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Synthesis-The-Disconnection-Approach/dp/0470712368
And the best collection of total synthesis what is found on the internet: http://chemistrybydesign.oia.arizona.edu/app.php
Premed?https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-II-Second-Language/dp/0471738085/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=second+lang+ochem&link_code=qs&qid=1554833065&s=gateway&sr=8-2-spell
​
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119110661/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0
"Organic Chemistry as a Second Language" .... got a 3.7 in O Chem using this book. You definitely have to do a bunch of problems though.
http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-As-Second-Language/dp/111801040X
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Organic-Synthesis-Disconnection-Stuart-Warren/dp/0470712368
I think this is the one I have, it's definitely by Warren anyway.
Edit:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Designing-Organic-Syntheses-Programmed-Introduction/dp/0471996122
This is the one I have, you might have to shop around to find it a bit cheaper. I think I ended up with the Indian edition or something.
Warren (and Wyatt? I've not really seen the updated book) is pretty good
Newer edition at e.g. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Organic-Synthesis-Disconnection-Stuart-Warren/dp/0470712368
These two books helped me through Ochem: Organic Chemistry as a Second Language Vol. 1 and Vol 2. The guy also has a very good text book that comes with an absolutely ENORMOUS answer book that has every single problem in the textbook mapped out. I don't recommend the Wiley Plus/Orion online homework system thing, but these are great resources.
https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-As-Second-Language/dp/111801040X
https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-As-Second-Language/dp/1119110661
This is like a little workbook that explains the material and has review questions throughout! I worked through this before my semester of ochem started and I felt like the semester was a breeeeeze. Highly recommend, and my professor asked what I was using to study and she said she loved this book too!
The CE mass produced your typical OTC drugs for pharmacies like Walgreen. He made literally millions of pills a day with fancy machines which--as the boss of a small company--he didn't even operate. In fact I don't even remember him doing anything CE technical, just doing phone calls and stuff. Anyways because drugs are a hot industry, he made serious bank. Millionaire, easily. So much money in the field, not a lot of workers.
But IMO, relatively boring. The chemist on the other hand was making NEW drugs. Never before used, never before tested. He used his vast knowledge of chemistry theory to predict and answer questions like "How would the molecule's function be different if it was less polar or more soluble?" and stuff like that. Then he'd put the theory in practice by making the molecule and testing it in vitro or something. Makes waaay less money. No hot wife or condo in Hawaii. But much more satisfying and requires much more knowledge.
Every job is different, everybody is different. Disclaimer, experiences are not typical. Whatever you decide to do, you can easily make it less boring by being an exciting person.
The general textbook I use is Clayden and I've found it really comprehensive - it weighs (and costed) something awful, but there you go.
For specific topics, I use a variety of smaller primers - generally textbooks that use a programmed approach, as that's what suits my learning style.
If there are no Orgo tutors at your university, there are plenty of resources online. I personally used ChemistNate and The Organic Chemistry Tutor for help when I was taking Orgo. Also, make use of your professor's office hours. If you cannot make them, email them to make an appointment.
Also, the way you described acids/bases as proton donators and acceptors is the Brønsted–Lowry definition of acid bases. You should start to consider the Lewis Acid Base theory, which revolves around electrons. Again, ChemistNate has a good video about this.
Lastly, if you are reading the chapter 100 times and you are still not understanding it, it may not be written well for you. Try going to your university library and checking out other organic chemistry textbooks and read the relevant chapters/section that you are studying in class. And be sure to practice with the end of chapter problems. I personally recommend Klein's Organic Chemistry As a Second Language.
Get this:
https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-As-Second-Language/dp/111801040X/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1494750631&sr=8-3-fkmr0&keywords=ochem+as+a+se
Ochem 1 was pretty memorization and concept heavy. Not much to do other than practice and get concepts down.
For Ochem 2, do a lot of practice problems until you see the patterns. Treat it as math rather than chemistry. Each reaction is an equation that can be applied to specific situations. Learn to see those situations and apply the equation to it. Get help when you need it, go to office hours for the hell of it, and stay on top of things. And you dont really need to memorize the reactions. If you know the reagents, just remember that nucleophile attacks electrophile, e source to e sink. Just think and look.
The class itself isnt that hard. Theres nothing special about it. Its just chemistry. Go in with a good attitude rather than thinking its the hardest subject in the world and you will do just fine.
Just don't go into the class with your head down, thinking it will be a walk in the park. I've seen people do that and then are devastated when they're completely lost a month into the class.
Tips:
My lecture used the following textbook:
http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-Marc-Loudon/dp/0981519431
I really like the text. It was very helpful.
Sure you can. Here is a link to a book on it You could also build your own lab if you aren't worried about someone else telling you that you know something. You could spend the $200,000 you otherwise would have spent on tuition on funding your own research, which is more than most research grants are.
MIT is better because they have a lab? Sounds like charging for equipment. Why don't they just say that? Are their experts better because they're at MIT or is MIT better because their experts are there? If these same experts worked at a community college would they be less respected? Would the community college be more respected?
This is the magic of marketing and you are eating it up.
EDIT:
You can also do MIT's coursework on organic chemistry for free.
Here is one example.
My organic chemistry professor wrote the book. He is King Among All Sadists.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1118452283/ref=zg_bs_13585_5?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=VCMYW999Z6FXG30J70WM
Can third Clayden. If it's specifically synthesis you want to learn about Warren's Syntheisis: The Disconnection Approach and the accompanying work book are good.
David Klein also has a full textbook out this year. My prof uses it and I find it even better than organic chemistry as a second language. Obviously since it's a full textbook + answer manuel it will run you a fair bit more.
Honestly, if you are willing to spend a bit of money, David Klein's Organic Chemistry as a Second Language is concise, fun to read, and gives a deep understanding of orgo. I highly recommend it, and it was a huge help to me when I took it. You may want to start with the first and buy the second if the first appeals to you.
Semester 1
Semester 2
UC irvine free lectures
Khan academy chemistry
open textbook at libretext
And if you feel like a structured efficient approach, i found orgo chem by klien to be good. The only fluff is useful fluff, like explaining how pH can affect drugs in our bodies; how chemists need to design drugs to account for that.
NileRed, Cody's lab, and periodic videos seem to be popular, which are all on youtube.
Them, plus Janeway's Immunobiology, Carey and Sundberg's Advanced Organic Chemistry part A and part B, Anslyn's PhysOrg, Ptashne's A Genetic Switch, Gilbert's Developmental Biology, Fersht's Structure and Mechanism in Protein Science and the NEB Catalog form a reference shelf for Biochem/Chemical Biology that I don't suspect will need updating for another decade or two.
EDIT: Except, of course, for switching out the NEB catalog every year for the new edition.
Trying buying it and supporting the author http://www.amazon.com/Pushing-Electrons-Students-Organic-Chemistry/dp/0030206936
Flashcards. Reaction on the front, mechanism on the back.
*If that doesn't work, this book saved my life in undergrad.
For organic chemistry, Vogel’s practical organic chemistry:
https://www.amazon.com/Vogels-Textbook-Practical-Organic-Chemistry/dp/0582462363
I took Ochem I and II, and I remember my professor recommending "Organic Chemistry as a Second Language," by Klein: http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-As-Second-Language/dp/111801040X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1457564400&sr=1-1&keywords=organic+chemistry+as+a+second+language
Note that there are separate versions for Ochem I and II.
Which one are you taking? Is it the only class you are having trouble with?
Also this one is pretty nice since you can work through it from the beginning to the end and afterwards you'll understand retrosynthesis.
You can find pdfs of it on the internet.
Try Organic Chemistry As a Second Language: First Semester Topics by Klein and the 2nd semester topics. Crisp fundamentals review.
The one I'd probably want: chemical manipulation. Stick your finger in a glass of apple juice and make cider. Slap someone you hate and give them third-degree burns.
Limitation: you can only cause a specific reaction if you know how it works. THIS IS YOUR LIFE NOW.
Other ideas:
If you have never taken college level chem courses (or don't remember them clearly) I highly recommend picking up a cheap used copy of this:
https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chem-Lab-Survival-Manual/dp/1118083393
It will show you how to carry out all the basic procedures you will need to know, and it is written in a way that is actually really fun to read. I think even someone who hates chemistry could appreciate this book
Just finished my first semester of o chem! A few tips:
In terms of the actual class...
Good luck!
This is a great practical book on working in an orgainic laboratory. He's added a bit of humor, too, and makes for an interesting read. It helped me through organic lab.
The Organic Chem Lab Survival Manual: A Student's Guide to Techniques
https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-As-Second-Language/dp/111801040X
Buy it
It's hard to say without more specifics. The idea is usually that you propose a mechanism and look for evidence that will prove that way.
​
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Modern-Physical-Organic-Chemistry-Anslyn/dp/1891389319
​
\^ covers most of the basics
Absolutely not! I have tutored people for O-chem for several years. Taking the course during the regular semester is enough of a challenge. To be successful in O-chem, you need to use a lot of higher level thinking. It's just not enough time to absorb the information. You need to understand it so that you can then apply it. Don't torture yourself, unless there is some reason that you absolutely have to take it over the summer.
I think it would be a much wiser idea to solidify your general chemistry knowledge in certain pertinent areas (even if you received As in gen chem). Read Get Ready for Organic Chemistry. Not having a solid grasp on these concepts before starting is what causes many to crash and burn. Having a solid grasp on these concepts sets you up for success. Once you fully understand the topics in that book, start reading Organic Chemistry As a Second Language to get a head start.
I've found David Klein's Organic Chemistry as a Second Language to be an indispensable resource.
I used the second edition, but I would imagine the third is still up to par.
The ACS exam is a large standardized multiple choice test written by the American Chemistry Society. The ACS chemistry subject exams are frequently used to prove proficiency for incoming graduate students.
The two tests are not necessarily all free response. She prefers to give part multiple choice and part short answer. There are built in curves for the exams. Things like there being 8 short answer questions, but you pick four and those are the only ones you have to answer.
As for what is sufficient, I don't know. I go for there is no kill like overkill, so that isn't a help. How long the Sapling homework takes you is highly variable. If I started at the beginning of a chapter it always took me longer than if I started by the midpoint, but that's a personal thing. If you keep after it and actually do work about two hours a day every single day, then you should be just fine for any course.
This said, I highly recommend reading Organic Chemistry As A Second Language to help get your head around the topics. Keep track of the electrons and what they are doing rather than specific mechanisms by name. Look for the patterns rather than trying to memorize everything. Don't be afraid to use the CRC for tutoring, second floor of the chem building on your left as you walk through the doors, it's paid for in your tuition and fees for taking organic chemistry. Also, make use of your resources and use YouTube videos and Khan academy when you get stuck. They don't often go in a great deal of depth, but they can get you on the right track.
Dandekar does reward work. If she can see that you are busting ass because your study group leader reports that you've been there working hard that helps. If you do all of the extra credit and it isn't slapdash, that gets rewarded as well. I can't speak to the bumping grades by a letter, but I can tell you she respects it and she rewards it.
The commute is what concerns me in your case. I'm not much better off living in the Frisco area about half an hour away from campus. Having been there done that, what really helped for me was that I set things up so that I would spend the entire days at UNT alternating with the community college. The commute is not trivial. Also, thanks to the lovely parking situation, you should plan to arrive at the campus nearly an hour before class to give yourself time to find a parking spot, walk to class, and get settled in the right frame of mind to learn something new. After 9:30 am and before 2 pm, finding parking is not easy.
Go buy Organic Chemistry as a Second Language Link
and use Khan academy or any other youtube videos to fill in the general chemistry blanks. Maybe review lewis structures if you're not doing that in class. To be honest there's not a ton of overlap conceptually with your general chemistry courses, so you shouldn't be terribly unprepared. Just do not get behind, if you keep up with the material it shouldn't be overwhelming, you get behind and it'll get really overwhelming really quickly.
To understand organic synthesis you need to understand organic chem and spectroscopy methods, so here, this book is the best on the market in my opinion and starts with basic reactivity and spectro methods and ends in hetrocyclic synthetic methods, protecting groups and such things. So, here you go! Oxford Press
Speaking as a UK 3rd year undergraduate, Warren's Organic Synthesis: The Disconnection Approach and it's accompanying workbook are exactly what you are looking for - they're simply excellent.
Here are some links for the product in the above comment for different countries:
Link: http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-As-Second-Language/dp/111801040X
|Country|Link|
|:-----------|:------------|
|UK|amazon.co.uk|
|Spain|amazon.es|
|France|amazon.fr|
|Germany|amazon.de|
|Japan|amazon.co.jp|
|Canada|amazon.ca|
|Italy|amazon.it|
|China|amazon.cn|
This bot is currently in testing so let me know what you think by voting (or commenting).
I am currently completing my two semesters of organic after completing gen chem seven years ago. I spent the summer reviewing the gen material and I felt pretty well prepared for organic. Like some of the other users have said, a good class will pull you up to snuff on what you need to know. Besides, organic has a lot more to do with the illustrative way that say, a hydrogen atom binds with an oxygen, and its effects, than with numbers. It often feels like it's more of an art class with puzzle-solving than a science class.
I would highly recommend getting a copy of Organic Chemistry as a Second Language. Amazing reference and clarifying tool. It will carry you through about 2/3rds of the 1st semester material, as well as give you a good foundation for everything. Not having that foundation is where most people flounder at the end of 1st and all the way through 2nd semester organic. Hope this helps!
I would suggest "Modern Physical Organic Chemistry", but it isn't limited to just radical reactions. It'll go deeper into many of the reaction types in organic chemistry including radicals.
U can get it here but it cost 65$. What i like about that kit is that you can use a sharpie on the white hydrogene to do the CIP configuration
This
http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chem-Lab-Survival-Manual/dp/0470494379/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322973072&sr=1-1
and this
http://www.amazon.com/Pushing-Electrons-Students-Organic-Chemistry/dp/0030206936/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322973131&sr=1-1
to supplement Morrison & Boyd or Brown, Foote, & Iverson.
Here is the best book for learning the basics of reaction mechanisms: Pushing Electrons
Vogels book on practical organic chemistry is a bit more expensive than I had expected, but can be bought at amazon for $195, and I'll bet that it contains a shitload more information.
The "standard" method for designing a synthetic route to a new target is to apply retrosynthetic analysis - Corey's book (linked in the wikipedia article) is the original text on the subject, but I've heard good things about [Warren's book] (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Organic-Synthesis-Disconnection-Stuart-Warren/dp/0470712368) as an introduction.
In the UK the standard textbook is Organic Chemistry by Clayden et al - it is absolutely brilliant and I highly recommend it.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Organic-Chemistry-Jonathan-Clayden/dp/0199270295/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_t_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=550XCD3M66R1R0Q29C28
I've never really used books except for organic Chemistry.
For organic Chemistry I first used this (Prof used it in the lecture): http://www.springer.com/springer+spektrum/chemie/organische+chemie/book/978-3-642-36592-8
which is terrible, don't use that!
Many people say this is pretty good but on the other hand Vollhardt is teaching at Berkeley and it's just a translation which brings me to the point: most good german text books are just translated english ones.
I personally like the Warren but I'm using it in english, not sure if there's a german version but imo the best basic org.chem book.
A really good book written by a german is this, I guess that one is translated in english too. But it's for an advanced level and there it can easily blow your mind ;-)
A good supplement to the text and practice problems is "Organic Chemistry as a Second Language"
Puts everything in relatively easy terms, has a lot of good practice problems, and tends to follow the coursework pretty well.
Organic Chemistry As a Second Language: First Semester Topics https://www.amazon.com/dp/1119110661/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_5-XMybHHZP51R
I took 109A last quarter with Bruice and LMAO rip it was 2 fast and furious 4 me, and thus my weary brain and butt is re-taking it right now with Aue.
Anyway, I went into this quarter expecting the first half at least to be a breeze for me since yeah, I'd gone through the course once already. But to be honest, Aue's style of teaching is completely different from Bruice's, and I was pretty lost myself and felt like I was taking the course for the first time again. So even more respect to the students that are taking O-chem for the first time under him.
I'm not the best student, but from my own experiences comparing the two classes, I feel like you shouldn't focus too much on the textbook, since Aue deviates from it a lot and teaches things that aren't mentioned in it at all. In Bruice, her tests were basically just the book problems (the questions weren't too hard, there was just so much to cover in so little time, whic, but I'll look through the book now and realize there's so much stuff I had to study in her class last quarter that seems to never be mentioned in Aue.
Are you enrolled in CLAS? That's really helpful for me. I did pretty well on the first midterm this quarter, and it's all because one of the CLAS instructor's pre-midterm review sessions taught me so much and saved my butt.
Seems like the best way to study for Aue is to study his past midterms. I don't have any of my own, but I know he does post an old one online on Gauchospace. Just see if you can get a good understanding of the free response questions, since the first midterm was pretty similar in concept, and if anything, it was the multiple choice questions I struggled more with LOL.
Additionally, one of my older friends gave me this book to supplement my readings last quarter, that I didn't crack open at all until I was in Aue lmao. But I found it pretty helpful, too, since I was too lazy to read the textbook and it seemed like Aue followed the order of this handbook better than Bruice's textbook. I believe it's also one of the supplemental readings he mentions in the syllabus: O-Chem As Second Language
But yeah. Don't stress too much. I hope some of this could be helpful, but take it with a grain of salt, since this is also my first time taking a course under Aue. I too am in the same boat as u in that i feel fked for the next midterm atm :-) But dw, you've still got a couple of days left and I had no idea that I would do decently well on the last midterm until it happened. That can be you, too.
HAVE FAITH IN YOURSELF AND GOOD LUCK!
Video:
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/organic-chemistry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KfheXm7DlU&list=PLqOZ6FD_RQ7nqVjmYjBSZOkjln_K31ATj
Textbook:
https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-Janice-Gorzynski-Smith/dp/0078021553/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1538341182&sr=8-11&keywords=Organic+Chemistry
https://www.amazon.com/Vogels-Textbook-Practical-Organic-Chemistry/dp/0582462363/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538341219&sr=8-1&keywords=vogel%27s+textbook+of+practical+organic+chemistry
The UCI video course seems to follow Janice's OChem book chapter by chapter so you can follow along while watching the video courses. They also have advanced OChem courses posted on their YT channel .
If you're learning about this stuff for the first time now, then you should probably get this book: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Organic-Chemistry-Second-Language-Semester/dp/1118144341/ref=dp_ob_title_bk.
You should definitely buy it, as that's, you know, the morally correct thing to do, but there are other ways to obtain it online...
The basic concepts and rationale behind the mechanisms are explained really clearly, and there are problems throughout and at the end of each chapter to help consolidate your understanding of it all. Would highly recommend it.
Smith book?
Leroy book?
Hi! Chemist here. I damn near failed it too because it's hard as hell. I used this to help: https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-As-Second-Language/dp/1119110661/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=organic+chemistry+as+a+second+language&qid=1569814438&s=gateway&sr=8-2
Remember: This class does not define you or what you want to do. You've got this! Keep going, future scientist!
For organic chemistry, this was my textbook:
http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-Jonathan-Clayden/dp/0198503466/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372758866&sr=1-2&keywords=clayden+organic+chemistry
(There's a newer edition available now, but you can get this one used for about $11)
It's a pretty awesome book. Explains degree level organic chemistry very clearly. Iirc, it covers the basic chemistry concepts you'd need to understand as well, such as orbital structures etc.
Sorry, I screwed up the title! Here is the proper link
Organic Chemistry As a Second Language, 3e: First Semester Topics https://www.amazon.com/dp/111801040X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_almNDbJMVD438
Strongly suggest this study guide Honestly this really helped me get through my year of O Chem, especially the last quarter when I was starting to get rusty and needed a review for a comprehensive test.
Yeah, sorry about that. I'm an idiot. I was reading on my phone and didn't scroll before I replied.
For organic, Solomons is good. I learned on that first and liked it quite a bit. I've also TAed using Carey/Giuliano which is a good book too. I liked Solomons more, but probably because I was more familiar with it.
http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-T-Graham-Solomons/dp/0470401419/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346010987&sr=1-1&keywords=solomon+fryhle+organic
http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-Francis-Carey/dp/007735477X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346011101&sr=1-1&keywords=carey+giuliano+organic
Prices are steep, so maybe look for an old edition, unless you're positive you can use a new one wherever you go.
If you're pretty confident in your organic stuff, you can look at Dave Evans organic class (he is a professor at Harvard and posted some great notes here http://isites.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=k7863 )
It might also help to read up on some organometallic chemistry. I this book
http://www.amazon.com/Organometallic-Chemistry-Gary-O-Spessard/dp/0195330994/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346011303&sr=1-1&keywords=organometallic+chemistry
It was ok, but there might be better out there. Maybe some other people will have some input.
A good physical organic book is http://www.amazon.com/Modern-Physical-Organic-Chemistry-Anslyn/dp/1891389319/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346011407&sr=1-1&keywords=physical+organic+chemistry
It's a dense book. This book also doesn't focus a whole lot on reactivity if I remember correctly. It does a lot of explaining the underlying physics of what happens in organic reactions.
For biochem, I can't help you. I took intro bio and ran the other direction, so more power to you.
This one?
http://www.amazon.com/Prentice-Molecular-Model-Organic-Chemistry/dp/0205081363
This one has flexible bonds, you can even make tetrahedrane with it.
I did both Organic Chemistry classes over 1 summer (5 weeks/class). It was easily the most brutal classroom experience of my academic career.
If I could go back I'd definitely start by completing the Organic Chemistry as a Second Language books (http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-As-Second-Language/dp/111801040X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377566755&sr=8-1&keywords=organic+chemistry+as+a+second+language). There is one for each class, and they are enormously helpful. Aside from that, do all the practice problems from your textbook. Unlike some of your other science classes it can be difficult to memorize the rules and then apply them... you will learn the rules by doing problems.
When it comes to stereochemistry, use models. After you have the 3-dimensional structures down, it is doubtful you will need to come back to the models again.
I like the Prentice Hall Modeling Kit and have two of them for my modeling desires. Unfortunately, the price on Amazon seems to have gone up quite a bit (used to be $35). The size of the atoms versus bonds is perfect, and the models are very sturdy. For example, I regularly use a model of cyclohexane as a back scratcher/massager.
The only downside is that the bonds are a little tight initially. I've found that troublesome bonds can be gently (gently!) chewed to become perfectly fit for the atoms.
The keys to chemistry are mostly understanding chemistry. Get him an organic chemistry book; most of it will be over his head right now, but as he grows intellectually he'll be able to conquer more and more. It can't really hurt to have around anyway. My favorite is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0198503466/organischeche-20
Try this book for organic chemistry at least.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/111801040X/ref=pd_aw_sim_14_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=1FFPQ068FSFZDCJVTHB4
It can be found far cheaper in other places, but this book really helped me to grasp organic concepts. I have a bunch of books in PDF format, so if you'd like me to forward them to you PM me your email address. I'd be more than happy to fire them over to you.
In addition, I recommend getting a cheap molecular model kit to further help you to grasp some of concepts that relate to the spatial orientation of molecules/stereochemistry; a lot of people seem to hit the wall when it gets to that point because visualization is difficult. eBay have some cheap sets. Better yet, you could make some with dowel rods and colored beads/polystyrene balls.
I've the utmost admiration for your desire to learn despite your 'age'. Not that it should ever deter you, it's just that I've come to accept that the majority of people just stop caring about learning once they pass a certain point, and so I find it refreshing when I do see somebody striving to learn.
> generally reading and working through a book will provide you with greater depth of knowledge and experience than any lecture or lecture + practice problems course could give you
I completely agree, I've learned a lot by working through problems in "Linear Algebra and Its Applications". I'm on page 17 so far, it made me realise how long it'll take to digest the book.
I know from my Experience as a Chemist, if someone with minimal chemical experience read through all of Clayden's textbook on Organic Chemistry then they would probably know much better Organic Chem than I do. (I can't remember if it has problems, that's how much I feel like I wasted my time at University.) Though, this person would be missing on lab experience and having a video view into Inorganic and Physical chemistry would be useful. They would probably need to set their goal first.
(Edit: After checking, it seems Clayden does have practice questions. I can't believe I didn't take advantage of this.)
At least I know that I want to do data science, though I understand the job specifications can vary a lot based on what companies need. That's partly what's causing me some confusion.
My big question is, how badly will I be judged for doing this outside of University and not having a piece of paper saying that I've done the work?
I'm more than happy to work out of a textbook. I'm happy to study for years if I have to. I'll do what It takes, and I've already spent the last couple of months learning using MOOCs. I just want to know if that'll work. (Well, I guess it always has been a calculated risk from the start.)
I'm aware that I can do some networking, when I am done doing all this studying I can join some Meetups, I already have a blog that I write in (perhaps not often enough, but still) and I'm quite active on LinkedIn and the community you can find on there. I know that if I do a couple of Kaggle competitions, that will also help prove the case that I know what I am doing.
What do you think?
Edit: I looked at the link you gave me and it seems to hit the nail on the head in terms of what's useful. But it will take me a long time to work through this, which is fine by me, I just don't know how someone in HR will view it. (Although that's why I mentioned networking above.)
Howdy. as a the others of said, OCHEM is not too incredibly difficult it is just a new kind of science that you haven't seen before. when i was at TAMU i took both OCHEM 1 and 2, and worked in a biological chemistry lab (for one of the actual OCHEM professors). i worked really close with my grad student (who was an OCHEM TA), and he always recommended the "OCHEM as a second language book" by David Cline. i read through it after i had taken OCHEM and was kicking myself because the book was soo good at teaching you the fundamentals of OCHEM. it is a really good book if you want to use it as a support resource. i found the newest edition on amazon if you are interested. ( https://smile.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-As-Second-Language/dp/1119110661/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=organic+chemistry+as+a+second+language&qid=1563237601&s=gateway&sr=8-1 ) Getting an A is definitely manageable if you put forth the effort.
https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-As-Second-Language/dp/1119110661/ref=dp_ob_image_bk
This? It's so much more expensive.
Kleins White textbook + Kleins 2nd language
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1118452283/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687722&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0470917806&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=EHJQCYJJTFNF6QACK8F7
The book, for the uninitiated: Organic Chemistry as a Second Language
Although not chemistry per se right hand, left hand (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Right-Hand-Left-Chris-McManus/dp/0753813556) was recommended to us by our organic chemistry lecturer (Clayden, the guy who wrote co-authored http://www.amazon.co.uk/Organic-Chemistry-Jonathan-Clayden/dp/0198503466/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1370533504&sr=1-1&keywords=clayden+organic+chemistry)
Edit: Also there is a chemistry section within Bill Brysons short history of nearly everything, and tbh if you have any general interest in science then you should read this book anyway as it covers loads of topics throughout the history of science really well and its very accessable
> organic chemistry book for .50
If it's this one, you can trade it in for $29.53 credit, free shipping. This one will net you $30.48. This one will net you $35.97. And this one will net you $39.87.
Always check www.amazon.com/tradein - you'll save on fees, shipping, and time.
With textbooks I would sell ASAP, because new editions come out every year or every few years.
Organic Chemistry by John McMurray is very very good if you haven't got it already, I had this before I got Clayden and I found it a little easier when starting off.
Also, if you feel like a challenge a great question book to get is: Designing Organic Synthesis by Stuart Warren. It's a question text book that teaches you how to break down large molecules into easily synthesizable subunits and is invaluble for any synthetic course.
these are some good books; when i was an undergrad the second semester one was really helpful; both as a second introduction of the material and as a good reference
http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-Second-Language-Translating/dp/0470129298/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310452151&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-II-Second-Language/dp/0471738085/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1310452151&sr=8-2
Behold, the greatest textbook I read in college. David Klein's Organic Chemistry was the single most important factor in me getting an A+ in organic chem 1 and 2.
I took the Chem 236 equivalent at my community college where this textbook was recommended. When I took 436 at UIUC, they recommend the Loudon textbook. It's shit. Don't read it. Klein literally holds your hand and walks you through each chapter with plenty of problem sets that force you to master one topic before you move onto the next one. The organization, the prose, the explanations, the problems sets, the figures...they're all just so beautiful. The reviews on this book are phenomenal. Compare the reviews to Loudon and you'll see how much of a different there is.
Buy this textbook with the accompanying solutions book (absolutely necessary no questions asked), and read through every page and do at least 80% of the questions. Draw out those mechanisms until your hand is bleeding. You'll be better off than most of your classmates. I guarantee it.
Are you correctly using td and tc glassware? web.centre.edu/che/che131_lab/volumetricGlassware.htm
I found this book helpful in college. It's very detailed. I think it has a section on ph probes. www.amazon.com/Organic-Chem-Lab-Survival-Manual/dp/1118083393/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406770734&sr=1-11&keywords=organic+laboratory+techniques
This is the one I use:
Prentice Hall Molecular Model Set For Organic Chemistry
Works great and they can double as ornaments on your ChemisTree at Christmas. :)
Turns out it was about 300 in our bookstore. The other books I had to get with it for the class would have been the other 100. Here is the actual book on amazon now.
http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-Edition-Leroy-Wade/dp/0321768418
It's not necessarily harder than general chemistry, it is just a lot different. More about recognizing patterns and making predictions, with almost nothing involving numerical problems. My suggestion is to read and do the problems in the book "Pushing Electrons" (https://www.amazon.com/Pushing-Electrons-Daniel-P-Weeks/dp/1133951880/ref=dp_ob_title_bk) before starting organic chemistry. The basics of organic chemistry are not really covered in UH general chemistry, so this book will help you get into the right mindset for organic chemistry before you start.
The relaxed T1 energy is always going to be lower than the relaxed S1 energy, so T1 will lie somewhere between the S1 and S0 states. Once you cross over to the T1 state and the molecule relaxes to the T1 minimum, there will be an energy barrier that will keep it from crossing back to the S1 state. Here is a picture of what I mean.
There are lots of good books on photochemistry and photophysics. Modern Physical Organic Chemistry has some good chapters on it. Turro wrote several popular books, but I'm partial to Klessinger and Michl.
Jack,
Firstly, take a deep breath!
Secondly, regarding your statement in your post, yes I got an A in OChem 2 - it seemed impossible as I was as stressed as you are! What really helped me was doing practice problems out of Organic Chemistry as a Second Language (because it really is)! In addition to this, I combed google for any practice exams or quizzes related to the topics covered on the exam (i.e., googled Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution Exam with Solutions) and went over those. For topics that I had a really hard time with, I researched for a conceptual understanding in addition to the mechanism (like why do the NMR spectropscopy present as they do, instead of memorizing where the peaks would come up) and made it a point to know that well in addition to the exam studying.
From reading your post, it sounds like your first professor was a conceptual teacher that then focused on the specific mechanisms (understanding the why and how to the mechanism). Your second professor seems like a mechanism writer, which I am sorry for as it does no justice to the beauty that is chemistry.
I hope this has helped!
As much as I absolutely loved that book, I would not suggest it for OP if they are not familiar with relatively end-stage calculus (there are a number of partial derivatives in there) and quantum theory. It is true that the thermodynamics might help, but even people within my own class of chemistry students at my university struggled to grasp the text. Again, this depends entirely on what OP's learning style.
If, on the other hand, OP is desiring some stimulation from the world of physical chemistry, especially from the aspect of organic chemistry (which I assume to be the next step in OP's studies) would be the Anslyn text Modern Physical Organic Chemistry. It is advanced mind you and assumes some understanding in organic and physical chemistry, but it is a very stimulating approach to both and I would highly recommend both as future reading and as a book simply to keep around - it is quite good.
Again, if OP has a solid mathematical background, the McQuarrie text really is great - one of my favorite texts until my current program.
If OP is looking for something truly interesting that, again, will help to solidify everything they learn as they progress, I would recommend (against most everyone's opinion, partially including my own due to Housecraft's overabundance of fluff) the Inorganic Chemistry by Housecraft. Again, some of this is relatively advanced, but it contains information that is extremely satisfying and, personally, helped to solidify many of the concepts I had learned leading up to that point in my undergraduate career.
If you have some desires, please post more, OP! Nice to hear people in those years are interested in stimulating their own education! Best of luck!
No. I've been out of school for 11 years. The professor I knew that taught it this way did it using the same book I used. He just handed out bunches and bunches of equation worksheets. I remember I tried to tutor someone in his class, and I had to tell them I was useless.
I searched Amazon and saw this book: http://www.amazon.com/Pushing-Electrons-Daniel-P-Weeks/dp/1133951880
...but I haven't seen it myself.
I‘m studying pharmaceutical sciences and recommend the Bible of organic chemistry:
Organic Chemistry by Volhard
I didn't do CHM136/138 here, but I did do a fuck ton of organic chem at another university before I came here.
The key is to understanding how everything operates. If you memorize anything, you are fucked. The book we used for the classes was this and it gave me a fair amount of practice. It's probably overkill for what you want, but all the other organic chem textbooks just approached things by more memorization.
When I focused on drawing my reaction mechanisms right and pushing electrons/bonds around properly, knowing pKa's, and doing tons of examples to make sure that things make sense.
However the CHM138 exams look very vicious for a first year course, on par with UofT I guess (or my old uni was shit). I did a third year course at another university and only that covered some of the stuff on there, and it seems to borrow on some of the topics from there.
For example, if you have 2-chloro-2-methypropane and you add water/EtOH (based on the exam question), would H2O attack? Would it take off a proton on one of the CH3's and eliminate it? Would it then attack? Or would the slight acidity of EtOH do something else?
It's been a while since I've done this but you should understand why things happen. When you do, there's not much else that can stop you. One key is to make sure that you ask (when you get the answer) is why other things don't happen. If you don't ask why SN reactions don't happen over E1/E2 reactions, you might end up costing yourself half the understanding.
Regardless, I say wait until someone who has done that course responds, but this is what I found worked for me when I did orgchem.
$201 for Wade's Organic Chemistry, 8th edition on Amazon
Used ones are $180+
A new international copy can be had for under $70 on eBay.
Need the Testbank. Will pay $75 in bitcoin/ethereum/litecoin or other payment method of your choice.
Organic Chemistry, 3rd Edition by David Klein
ISBN-13: 978-1119110477
ISBN-10: 1119110475
https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-3rd-David-Klein-ebook/dp/B01NCJQ68U
If you're into organic, this one, right here:
https://www.amazon.com/Prentice-Molecular-Model-Organic-Chemistry/dp/0205081363
It's space-filling and very versatile, I like how it helps me see the shapes of molecules.
This is what I have.
It's pretty expensive unfortunately, but it's incredibly nice and I don't see it breaking any time in the near future.
Thanks a lot for the reply!
Well, that's my biggest concern so far. I understand that I need practice, but finding a lab will be challenging(no community colleges, not in the US).
But, there is some spare money, and maybe I could set up some lab practice at home with decent preparations? Found a lot of chem kits, but seems like all of them are for children(and inorganic chem).
Also I got myself this book - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Organic-Chemistry-Jonathan-Clayden/dp/0198503466 , would you recommend it?
EDIT: About lab practice, maybe there is some virtual lab programs? I fully realise it's not the same as real lab, but maybe it will help at first. Practicing while learning programming was so easier, heh.
I have never read this book, but I can tell form the title it will likely be helpful.
Organic chemistry is easy-mode, once you understand that memorising and regurgitating every single reaction and transformation is impossible, and start to actually learn how molecules behave.
Once you understand the rules organic chemistry works by, it is a wonderful subject to study.
I also suggest Organic Synthesis, The Disconnection Approach.
Honestly my favorite text book would have to be Loudon's. It seems to cover more then most other texts and contains numerous helpful diagrams/tables. The questions are all great as well. Linky
I've yet to have to use it, but I've hear this book Organic Chemistry As a Second Language, is amazing
Organic Chemistry As a Second Language by David Klein
Buy both the books!
Instead of using my class textbook, I used these two books. These books will cover most of what you need to know in your ochem courses. I wasted money buying the class textbook when I could have used these two books alone.
ORGANIC CHEM CUSTOM LL W/E-BOOK
Author KLEIN
Edition 3RD 17
Published Date 2017
ISBN 9781119458104
Publisher WILEY
Maybe this? (Check the ISBN first. I took orgo a few years ago, but the book store gives the above info for 351 this semester.)
https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-3rd-David-Klein-ebook/dp/B01NCJQ68U/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1505200382&sr=1-3&keywords=Wiley+Organic+3rd
Edit: Can get the syllabus if you still need. If you are tutoring a student or through the tutorial center, you should have access though, with their permission.
Zubrick's Organic Chem Lab Survival Manual was an awesome resource for me during my first semester of orgo. Much of the stuff in the school's own lab manuals was taken from this resource.
I used Clayden/Greeves/Warren/Wothers to study for my final tests. I loved it. Looks like I'm not the only one taken by that book.
This book was fantastic for organic chemistry when I was in undergrad. Really well explained and detailed. Don't buy it new!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/0198503466
Phys chem I used was Atkins Physical Chemistry, but I wouldn't rave about that as much.
Study "Organic Chemistry as a Second Language: Second semester topics".
http://amzn.com/1118144341
It's really great. I still scan through it from time to time.
No no no no. This is the perfect example of how not to learn. You need to learn how to learn. Learning form videos is a horrible idea if you want to beat the average. Please I tell you this from experience. There are studies out there if you don't believe me. If you're looking for a textbook to read check out http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-Jonathan-Clayden/dp/0199270295
At my college, this was actually offered to us when our chemistry professors decided to choose a new book. The publishers were nice enough to give us this luxury and it was a great book (Klein's Organic Chemistry).