Science of Synthesis provides a critical review of the synthetic methodology developed from the early 1800s to date for the entire field of organic and organometallic chemistry. As the only resource providing full-text descriptions of organic transformations and synthetic methods as well as experimental procedures, Science of Synthesis is therefore a unique chemical information tool. Over 1000 world-renowned experts have chosen the most important molecular transformations for a class of organic compounds and elaborated on their scope and limitations. The systematic, logical and consistent organization of the synthetic methods for each functional group enables users to quickly find out which methods are useful for a particular synthesis and which are not. Effective and practical experimental procedures can be implemented quickly and easily in the lab.// The content of this e-book was originally published in September 2004.

Science of Synthesis: Houben-Weyl Methods of Molecular Transformations is the entirely new edition of the acclaimed reference series Houben-Weyl, the standard synthetic chemistry resource since 1909. This new edition is published in English and will comprise 48 volumes published between the years 2000 and 2008.

Science of Synthesis is a quality reference work developed by a highly esteemed editorial board to provide a comprehensive and critical selection of reliable organic and organometallic synthetic methods. This unique resource is designed to be the first point of reference when searching for a synthesis strategy.

• Contains the expertise of presently 400 leading chemists worldwide.
• Critically evaluates the preparative applicability and significance of the synthetic methods.
• Discusses relevant background information and provides detailed experimental procedures

For full information on the Science of Synthesis series, visit the Science of Synthesis Homepage

Series Editors: D. Bellus, S. V. Ley, R. Noyori, M. Regitz, E. Schaumann, I. Shinkai, E. J. Thomas, B. M. Trost, P. J. Reider

19.1 Product Class 1: Nitrile Oxides, Sulfides, and Selenides
19.2 Product Class 2: Nitrile Imines
19.3 Product Class 3: Nitrilium Salts
19.4 Product Class 4: Nitrile Ylides
19.5 Product Class 5: Nitriles
19.5.1 Construction of the Cyano Group by Functional-Group Transformation from a Nitrogen-Free Starting Material
19.5.2 Construction of the Cyano Group by Functional-Group Transformation from a Nitrogen-Containing Starting Material
19.5.3 Introduction of the Cyano Group by Substitution of Hydrogen
19.5.4 Introduction of the Cyano Group by Substitution of Metals
19.5.5 Introduction of the Cyano Group by Substitution of a Halogen
19.5.6 Introduction of the Cyano Group by Substitution of Oxygen Functions
19.5.7 Introduction of the Cyano Group by Substitution of Sulfur Functions
19.5.8 Introduction of the Cyano Group by Substitution of Nitrogen Functions
19.5.9 Introduction of the Cyano Group by Addition to a Carbonyl Group
19.5.10 Introduction of the Cyano Group by Addition to an Imino Group
19.5.11 Introduction of the Cyano Group by Conjugate Addition
19.5.12 Introduction of the Cyano Group by Addition to Alkynes
19.5.13 Introduction of the Cyano Group by Addition to Alkenes
19.5.14 Synthesis from Nitriles with Retention of the Cyano Group
19.5.15 Applications of Nitriles as Reagents for Organic Synthesis with Loss of the Nitrile Functionality (Including Cycloaddition Reactions)
19.6 Product Class 6: Phosphaalkynes (Alkylidynephosphines)
19.7 Product Class 7: Isocyanides and Related Compounds