Introductory Organic Mechanisms By Inquisition

Many introductory organic chemistry textbooks are based on functional groups, but this one instead emphasizes mechanisms. It covers: (i) SN1; (ii) SN2; (iii) eliminations; (iv) additions of HX to alkenes; (v) oxidation states; (vi) halogenation of alkenes; (vii) epoxides and regioselectivity; and, (viii) cycloadditions. Τhose subjects usually correspond to the second phase in an introductory organic course, semester 1, after fundamental concepts have been covered. This eworkbook is animated with videos introducing each subject, interleaved with sets of problems to encourage students to understand by application. More specialized videos are added where appropriate, and some shorts to revise with. The intention is students should watch the videos in the order they are introduced in the book, then try to answer the problems covering theory and applications of each subject. All the videos linked to in this book are freely available on YouTube. In the Books application, they can be viewed within the text; this is a considerable advantage with respect to protecting students from the temptation to click on other offerings that simply seem interesting outside the book, therefore reducing opportunities to be distracted. Overall, this eworkbook is designed to challenge undergraduates so they should be able handle even difficult questions on exams and the final; excellent, easy problem set books are available elsewhere. Answers to all the problems are online at byinquisition.org. This book is offered at a much reduced introductory price for six months from Aug 1, 2024. Preliminary versions of each chapter in this eworkbook were originally published individually, but they have now been discontinued; the current version is much improved over them, and relates topics in an orderly way. I hope students and lecturers will find it useful.