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 August 2005.

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

21 Introduction
21.1 Product Class 1: Amides
21.1.1 Synthesis from Carbonic Acid Derivatives
21.1.2 Synthesis from Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives
21.1.3 Synthesis from Aldehydes, Ketones, and Related Compounds
21.1.4 Synthesis from Amines
21.1.5 Synthesis by Rearrangement
21.1.6 Synthesis with Retention of the Functional Group
21.2 Product Class 2: Triacylamines, Imides (Diacylamines), and Related Compounds
21.3 Product Class 3: N-[α-(Heteroatom)alkyl]-Substituted Alkanamides
21.4 Product Class 4: N-Arylalkanamides, Ynamides, Enamides, Dienamides, and Allenamides
21.5 Product Class 5: α-Heteroatom-Substituted Alkanamides
21.6 Product Class 6: α,β-Unsaturated Amides: Alk-2-ynamides, Arenecarboxamides, and Alk-2-enamides
21.7 Product Class 7: β-Heteroatom-Substituted Alkanamides
21.8 Product Class 8: α-Lactams
21.9 Product Class 9: β-Lactams
21.10 Product Class 10: γ-Lactams and Larger Ring Lactams
21.11 Product Class 11: Peptides
21.12 Product Class 12: Metal Amides and Imides
21.13 Product Class 13: N-Heteroatom-Substituted Alkanamides
21.14 Product Class 14: Acylphosphorus Compounds