The appearance of the first review in 1965 1] and the first monograph in 1968 2] on chemiluminescence demonstrated the extent of the phenomenon of light emission from the reaction of organic compounds in solution. Since then the num ber of chemiluminescent compounds has greatly increased, although the advan ces in theory and, more recently, applications are probably more significant. The present work is written by two authors who, together with E. H. White, helped to bring the study of chemiluminescence into the modern era. However many investigators are making contributions to the subject,...

The subject of the book is electron transfer reactions in organic chemistry, with the emphasis on mechanistic aspects. The theoretical framework is that of the Marcus theory, well-known from its extensive use in inorganic chemistry. The book deals with definitions of electron transfer, theory of electron transfer reactions (Marcus' and Pross-Shaik's approach) experimental diagnosis of electron transfer reactions, examples from inorganic/organic reactants and purely organic reactants, electro- and photochemical electron transfer, electron transfer catalyzed reactions, connections between...

The effects of heat and light on chemical reactions have long been known and un- derstood. Ultrasound has been known to promote chemical reactions for the past 60 years, but despite this, it did not attract the attention of synthetic chemists until recently. This arose historically from early studies which concentrated almost exclu- sively on reactions in aqueous media and was also, in some measure, due to the availability of suitable technology. Since the early 1980s a plethora of literature has appeared of direct interest to synthetic chemists and the field has been developing rapidly. The...

This monograph has been written to demonstrate to organic chemists and graduate students the strategies for controlling stereochemistry in carbon-carbon bond formations with borane intermediates. The boranes were initially found to be useful reagents by Nobel Laureate H.C. Brown. Their precursors are commercially available and derivatization is fast, clean and simple.

Considering aspects of symmetry rules in chemistry, one is faced with con tradictory terms as for example, "90 % concertedness" sometimes being used in literature. To accept conservation of orbital symmetry to be as controlled as inversion by alternative principles seems far more promising. The intention of this book is aimed at introducing a qualitative understanding of phase rela tions in electromagnetic interactions. Avoiding one-sided dogmatism we tried to demonstrate the importance of alternative principles as guidelines to the evolution of alternative order in chemical systems. Passing...

The significant increase in applications of Barbier and Barbier-type reactions in (in-) organic synthesis over the past twenty-five years, combined with repeated stimulation on the part of Springer-Verlag (Dr. R. Stumpe) were strong in centives for me to write this book. My earliest activities in this field include a modest and first-ever review article (in cooperation with Dr. F. A. Hartog who at that time (1977) did his doctoral research on the Barbier reaction). References to this review article, as mentioned in the Science Citation Index till recently are a good indication for a continued...

New methods for the construction of condensed five-membered ring systems continue to be developed at an accelerated pace. The challenges underlying this tremendous current upsurge of interest arise from several directions. One stems from the desire to elucidate and resolve those special problems associated with the incorporation of added strain not present when six-membered rings are mutually fused. The many structurally interesting polyquinane natural products isolated and characterized in recent years have provided a particularly delightful forum for application of various new synthetic...

Many organic chemists will agree with me that the old "electronic theory" has for a long time been inadequate for the interpretation of various new findings in chemistry, particularly for those of reactivity. Considering the outstanding progress which has been made during the past 20 years in the interpretation of these facts, aided by the molecular orbital theory, the time has finally come for a new book showing what is within and what is beyond the reach of quantum-chemical methods. It was therefore highly suitable that Dr. F. L. Boschke of the Springer Verlag suggested to me to make a...

Rotation about the Carbon-Carbon single bond is generally regarded to be unrestricted. About 50 years ago, rotational isomers were found to exhibit optical activity: substituted biphenyl derivatives. However, the author has investigated other classes of compounds that have stable rotational isomers at room temperature. These compounds can serve as models for studying very weak intermolecular interactions, that are difficult to observe. Even diastereotopic groups show different chemical reactivity. From the contents: The "Free Rotation Concept" - Rotamer Populations - Barriers to Rotation -...