Review by Choice Review
Chemists (and all scientists) have always been dependent upon the quality of the publications that constitute the scientific literature for the progress of the field and the advancement of their own work. Nowhere is that more in evidence than in the experimental sections of those publications. From time to time, volumes such as the classic works of Gilman, Elderfield, House, Jolly, and others have been published, along with annual series such as the volumes of Organic Reactions. These compendia of tried and true (and carefully tested) recipes for important standard procedures have proved to be invaluable. Thank heavens for all of that, and for a most welcome newcomer in the area of organometallics in organic synthesis. Now we have a one-volume treatise that, although restricted to only a few metals, promises to serve a diversity of synthetic interests. Beginning with the most comprehensive of the eight chapters, the editor's own contribution (on organoalkali reagents) sets the style for the entire work: an overview, structures, reactivity and selectivity, preparation of intermediates, and handling of reagents. Other contributions, though generally shorter, are similarly conceived and executed: "Organolithium Compounds--Industrial Applications and Handling"; "Titanium in Organic Synthesis"; "Synthetic Procedures Involving Organocopper Reagents"; "Palladium in Organic Synthesis"; "Organoboron Chemistry"; "Organoaluminum Chemistry"; and "Organotin Chemistry." All are outstanding; the production gives the reader clear and easy-to-read recipes, and there is an effective subject index and a formula index. Each of the eight chapters is accompanied by hundreds of literature references. Simply, an outstanding contribution to the practicing chemist. Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduate through professional. L. W. Fine; Columbia University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
