Stereochemistry - Workbook 191 Problems and Solutions [Paperback]

This workbook in stereochemistry is designed for students, lecturers and scientists in chemistry, pharmacy, biology and medicine who deal with chiral chemical compounds and their properties. It serves as a supplement to textbooks and seminars and thus provides selected examples for students to practice the use of the conventions and terminology for the exact three-dimensional description of chemical compounds. It contains 191 problems with extended solutions.

The late Edgar Heilbronner, one of the great physical and organic chemists of the 20th century, had a particularly effective lecture. He started it as follows: You know pretty much everything I am going to say. So let us begin with the questions. And up on the screen flashed the first question. The lecture continued in the same vein; Heilbronners carefully structured answers to just the right questions led to a fascinating

seminar, and a learning experience.

I thought of Edgar Heilbronners lecture as I read the Hellwich

and Siebert Stereochemistry Workbook. In it are 191 graduated problems, along with succinct and clear solutions. One has to know a little stereochemical lore to begin with, for instance the priority rules of the CIP system. But otherwise everything is taught, in exemplary fashion, just through the progression of questions and answers. Complexities of naming coordination compounds, and dealing with chirality planes and axes are not

avoided. The examples grow increasingly challenging.

The success of this small volume lies in the fact it has a hidden narrative structure. Complexity is introduced in stages; solutions to the problems are attainable goals. One is drawn in, it is fun to go on. And the book is decorated with fascinating short stories of pharmaceutical design and utility. We have here a rare instance of a wls