Book Review: Organic Chemistry as a Second Language: Translating the Basic Concepts

To supplement the guide I have provided below, I am also doing a book review on an organic chemistry book I found a while back. If you find yourself still in a jam after using the study guide’s tips below, then this book might help you reinforce some key concepts.

The book, titled Organic Chemistry as a Second Language: Translating the Basic Concepts, is by Dr. David R. Klein of Johns Hopkins University. Who I am assuming is an organic chemistry professor. It starts of very slowly with a simple how to study guide that is similar, but not as in-depth, as the one I posted earlier. The rest of the book deals with learning key concepts in organic chemistry. The first chapter is a simple one on just bond-line drawing. There are several practice problems scattered throughout the entire chapter and solutions to them in the back of the book. The book then goes into some arrow pushing and resonance. It continues with everything from orbitals and chair structures to elimination and substitution reactions. There is also a fabulous section that offers tips to better master the drawing of mechanisms, something I find people have trouble with. In chapter eight, there is something that I think is really outstanding, a template for writing down reactions. It is essentially a sheet that allows you to write down the name of the reaction, what type it is, the stereochemistry, and the regiochemistry. Below these categories is room to fill in the mechanism of the reaction and some examples. It looks like an excellent way to organize your studying of reactions. And, it will make you do something that really aids the learning process, writing the reactions. Finally, the last section deals with tips for synthesis problems which are something else that people seem to have trouble with in organic. I can guarantee that you will see them first semester and throughout second semester because they are, more than anything, the true test of your organic knowledge.

I must note that just looking at this book will not give you an “A” in organic chemistry. The author even points this out:

This book cannot replace your textbook, your lectures, or other forms of studying. This book is not the Cliff Notes to Organic Chemistry. It focuses on the basic concepts that will empower you to do well if you go to the lectures and study in addition to using this book.

The problems you see in class will be of a higher difficulty, but this book will reinforce the basics. Also, this book will help for first semester organic, but does not deal with the majority of second semester topics. This is probably due to the fact that most of the concepts seen in first semester come back for the second, just more complicated. If you can master these fundamentals, you can do fine second semester, when the real chemistry begins.

Overall, the book is first-rate. I feel it roughly follows the order in which you will cover topics in class, and is a good compliment to the book you will have for class. There is something in it that everyone can use, from the reaction sheets to the boat loads of practice problems. If you happen to find yourself drowning, scoop up this book to help you get back on track.

Grade: A

Organic Chemistry as a Second Language: Translating the Basic Concepts