The Virtual Textbook of Organic Chemistry was created by Professor William H. Reusch of Michigan State University. This comprehensive online resource covers the fundamentals of organic chemistry, from structure and bonding through complex reaction mechanisms, and includes interactive problem sets for self-assessment.
The ACS Organic Division has undertaken the maintenance and modernization of this resource for the benefit of the broader chemistry community.
Table of Contents
General Principles
Chemical Reactivity
- Reaction Classification
- Practice Problems
- Reaction Illustrations
- Aromaticity
- Practice Problems
- Reducing Reagents
- Oxidation Reagents
- Assigning Oxidation State Numbers to Carbon
- Acid-Base Chemistry
- The Nature of Energy
- Ionization Constants of Inorganic Acids
- Ionization Constants of Organic Acids
- Ionization Constants of Protonated Bases
- Writing Reaction Mechanisms
- Molecular Structure and Acidity
- Substituent Effects on the Acidity of Carboxylic Acids
- Lactone Formation
- Solvation of Ions
- Linear Free Energy Relationships
- Stereoelectronic Effects
- Factors Influencing Carbocation Stability
Stereochemistry
- Stereoisomers Part I
- Practice Problems
- Stereoisomers Part II
- Practice Problems
- Stereoisomers Part III
- Practice Problems
- Structurally Equivalent Atoms and Groups
- Meso Compounds
- Summary of Isomerism
- Silanes as Reducing Agents
- Rotamer Barriers in Unsaturated Compounds
- Six-Membered Ring Conformations
- Resolution of Racemates
- Symmetry in Organic Chemistry
Other Topics
Functional Group Reactions
Aldehydes & Ketones
- Reversible & Irreversible Addition Reactions
- Reactions at the α-Carbon
- Practice Problems
- Sulfur and Phosphorus Compounds
- Vinylagous Systems
- Carbonyl Reactivity and IR Stretching Frequency
- Stable Carbonyl Hydrates and Hemiacetals
- Derivatives of Aldehydes and Ketones
- Enols and Enolate Anions
- The Cannizzaro Reaction
- The Haloform Reaction
- Aldol Reactions
- The Mannich Reaction
- Reactions of Enolate-Like Species