[Il Divo]

Greetings all, I have a bit of a tricky question

I'd like to think that I have a grasp of Organic Chemistry 1 and 2, so my question is: what's the next level? Ideally, I plan on applying to graduate schools next year and I'm reasonably certain I want to focus on Organic Synthesis. I enjoy it a lot, especially figuring out how to manipulate functional groups while taking into account practical factors like toxicity, reagent expenses, yields, etc.

In the mean time, what should an aspiring graduate level organic chemist be expected to know? Should I simply be reading as many papers as possible? Should I be studying Advanced Organic Chemistry by Carey/Sundberg cover to cover? Should I just review all the Chemistry knowledge from my previous undergraduate career, for a more general understanding? Other than the research experience itself, what most separates a graduate chemist from an undergraduate chemist?

Thanks to all in advance.

[Archer]

If you want to take my approach, buy a copy of this book

Organic Synthesis: The Disconnection Approach, 2nd Edition
Stuart Warren, Paul Wyatt
ISBN: 978-0-470-71236-8

and read it from cover to cover, making notes and drawing reaction schemes / mechanisms as you go along.

This may seem like a lot of work, and it was! but it provided me with a way of holding onto important information much of which I still use today.

After you have grasped these then get a subscription to a journal like JOC which will not come cheap but will keep you abreast of current developements. While I was doing a job  hated I took out a subscription to J. Nat. Prod. ACS membership fees and the subscription was a lot of money but it was well worth it.

[mkurek]

I feel like the only thing you can do to take it to the next level is lab work. Which is what graduate school will be for you, chances are you will be submitting a research proposal, and then doing it. It will be a real hands-on test of your knowledge. And ya know, what good are all those book smarts you're going to get from reading your book cover to cover a bunch of times if you walk into a lab and look at every solution likes its the same damn beaker full of smelly oily water.

[Il Divo]

If you want to take my approach, buy a copy of this book

Organic Synthesis: The Disconnection Approach, 2nd Edition
Stuart Warren, Paul Wyatt
ISBN: 978-0-470-71236-8

and read it from cover to cover, making notes and drawing reaction schemes / mechanisms as you go along.

This may seem like a lot of work, and it was! but it provided me with a way of holding onto important information much of which I still use today.

After you have grasped these then get a subscription to a journal like JOC which will not come cheap but will keep you abreast of current developements. While I was doing a job  hated I took out a subscription to J. Nat. Prod. ACS membership fees and the subscription was a lot of money but it was well worth it.

Thanks for the recommendation! Luckily, with Christmas around the corner I was able to pick up a kindle copy of the Disconnection Approach and plan on tearing into it tomorrow. Skimming it through it, it looks pretty good for what I need. It's not quite as dense Sundberg's Advanced Organic Synthesis, but still has plenty of material to get me moving in the right direction. Cheers!

[Il Divo]

I feel like the only thing you can do to take it to the next level is lab work. Which is what graduate school will be for you, chances are you will be submitting a research proposal, and then doing it. It will be a real hands-on test of your knowledge. And ya know, what good are all those book smarts you're going to get from reading your book cover to cover a bunch of times if you walk into a lab and look at every solution likes its the same damn beaker full of smelly oily water.

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that anything that I do outside of grad school will be the equivalent of time spent doing research in the lab. But surely in the interim, there's more (and less) productive ways I can be spending my time, even while working a job in industry?

[megatyler30]

I'd suggest trying out Physical Chemistry then after you get that mastered move on to Physical Organic Chemistry text. And also, if you enjoy it then forsure read a good textbook or two on Organic Synthesis. Anyways have fun.

[Il Divo]

I'd suggest trying out Physical Chemistry then after you get that mastered move on to Physical Organic Chemistry text. And also, if you enjoy it then forsure read a good textbook or two on Organic Synthesis. Anyways have fun.

I actually did just pull out my copy of Atkins' Physical Chemistry yesterday, so great timing!

Are there any Physical Organic Chemistry texts you'd recommend? Long term, I'm not sure what my grad school plan is, but I want to become acquainted with as many different fields as possible.

[megatyler30]

I can't say from experience on which is good although Modern Physical Chemistry by Anslyn seems to be a good bet although you might want to see if there's anything else that you think looks better. Also a biochemistry textbook (or if you've already taken it, then an advanced biochemistry one) might also be interesting/useful. Well good luck.

[Altered State]

Won't Carey/Sundberg part A be a good starting point to physical organic chemistry?