Author Profile

Francesco Lombardi is a distinguished organic chemist and educator whose career spans over two decades of cutting-edge research and classroom excellence. He holds a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Bologna, followed by a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), where he specialized in asymmetric synthesis and sustainable catalytic processes. Currently serving as a Full Professor of Chemistry, Dr. Lombardi has dedicated his career to demystifying the molecular world for generations of students. He has authored over 50 peer-reviewed research papers in high-impact journals and is a frequent keynote speaker at international chemical forums. Driven by the belief that organic chemistry is not a subject to be memorised, but a logical puzzle to be solved, Dr. Lombardi brings his signature clarity, passion, and real-world problem-solving approach to this textbook.

About The Book

Organic chemistry studies the structure, properties and reactions of organic compounds, which contain carbon in covalent bonding. The study of structure determines their chemical composition and formula and the study of properties includes physical and chemical properties, and evaluation of chemical reactivity to understand their behavior. The study of organic reactions includes the chemical synthesis of natural products, drugs, and polymers, and study of individual organic molecules in the laboratory and via theoretical (in silico) study. Organic Chemistry serves as the definitive masterwork designed for advanced students, researchers, and industry professionals seeking an exhaustive and authoritative reference. This comprehensive text bridges the foundational principles of molecular structure with the cutting-edge breakthroughs driving modern chemical engineering, pharmacology, and material science. Engineered for clarity without sacrificing mathematical or mechanistic rigor, it stands as the ultimate anchor for any scientific library, transforming complex chemical theory into an actionable, highly scannable blueprint of the molecular world. The text is expansive and covers all areas of basic organic chemistry with some of the later chapters introducing topics such as biological pathways, intermediate-level organic reactions, and polymers.

Table of Contents

Preface
Chapter 1. Structure and Bonding in Organic Molecules
Atomic Structure and Hybridization
Covalent Bonding and Molecular Orbitals
Functional Groups and Classification
Resonance and Electron Delocalization
Inductive and Mesomeric Effects
Acid–Base Concepts in Organic Chemistry
Intermolecular Forces
Introduction to Organic Nomenclature
Chapter 2. Stereochemistry and Conformational Analysis
Isomerism: Structural and Stereoisomerism
Chirality and Optical Activity
R/S and E/Z Nomenclature
Conformational Analysis of Alkanes
Cycloalkane Conformations
Stereochemical Outcomes of Reactions
Diastereomers and Meso Compounds
Applications of Stereochemistry in Synthesis
Chapter 3. Reaction Mechanisms and Kinetics
Fundamentals of Reaction Mechanisms
Energy Profiles and Transition States
Nucleophiles and Electrophiles
Carbocations, Carbanions, and Radicals
Substitution Reactions (SN1 and SN2)
Elimination Reactions (E1 and E2)
Rearrangement Reactions
Principles of Chemical Kinetics
Chapter 4. Alkanes and Cycloalkanes
Structure and Properties of Alkanes
Sources and Industrial Importance
Free Radical Halogenation
Combustion and Environmental Impact
Conformations of Cycloalkanes
Strain and Stability
Physical Properties and Applications
Synthesis of Alkanes
Chapter 5. Alkenes and Alkynes
Structure and Bonding in Alkenes
Electrophilic Addition Reactions
Markovnikov and Anti-Markovnikov Additions
Oxidation and Reduction of Alkenes
Structure and Properties of Alkynes
Addition Reactions of Alkynes
Polymerization Reactions
Industrial and Synthetic Applications
Chapter 6. Aromatic Compounds
Structure and Stability of Benzene
Aromaticity and Huckel’s Rule
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution
Orientation and Reactivity Effects
Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds
Aromatic Heterocycles
Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution
Applications in Pharmaceuticals and Materials
Chapter 7. Functional Group Transformations
Alkyl Halides and their Reactions
Alcohols and Ethers
Carbonyl Compounds: Aldehydes and Ketones
Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives
Amines and Nitrogen-Containing Compounds
Organometallic Reagents
Oxidation and Reduction Reactions
Protecting Groups and Strategy
Chapter 8. Spectroscopic Methods in Organic Chemistry
Infrared Spectroscopy
Ultraviolet–Visible Spectroscopy
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy
Mass Spectrometry
Interpretation of Spectral Data
Structure Elucidation Techniques
Two-Dimensional NMR Methods
Applications in Organic Analysis
Chapter 9. Biomolecules and Polymer Chemistry
Carbohydrates
Amino Acids and Proteins
Lipids
Nucleic Acids
Synthetic Polymers
Polymerization Mechanisms
Biodegradable Polymers
Industrial Applications of Polymers
Chapter 10. Modern Organic Chemistry and Emerging Fields
Green Organic Synthesis
Asymmetric Synthesis
Organocatalysis
Photochemistry and Pericyclic Reactions
Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Computational Organic Chemistry
Supramolecular Chemistry
Future Directions in Organic Research
Bibliography
Index