Organic Stereochemistry

Number 88 in the well-known Oxford Chemistry Primer series introduces upper-undergraduate students to how the three-dimensional shapes of molecules influence their chemical and physical properties. It starts with an introduction to common stereochemical terms used throughout the book. Chapter two covers the structures of simple unstrained organic molecules followed by examples of strained molecules. The third chapter deals with conformational analysis of acyclic and carbocyclic molecules, ending with a short exposition of molecular mechanics. Chapter four is about stereoisomerism in molecules and compounds. A full description of enantiomerism and diastereomerism is followed by an explanation of the nomenclature for absolute and relative configurations of molecules and for topism. The book concludes with a survey of stereoselective and stereospecific reactions, including the use of chiral catalysts and auxiliaries, rules for predicting stereoselectivity, and double asymmetric synthesis.

Michael J. T. Robinson is a University Lecturer in Organic Chemistry at Magdalen College, University of Oxford and works in the Dyson Perrins Laboratory, Oxford.