Organic Chemistry - A Tenth Edition

Reviewed by Christine Hermann, Chair, Full Professor, Radford University on 7/23/24

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

The chapter topics are those that are typically found in an organic textbook. It is illustrated with a lot of color.

Content Accuracy rating: 3

Many mechanisms are drawn incorrectly. For example, arrows are shown attacking a carbonyl from the side, not the opposite side of the oxygen. As a result, the next structure is drawn wrong. Arrows are missing from a lot of other mechanisms.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

Much of organic chemistry stays the same over time. The updates would be new reactions or new applications within the field. The book will not become obsolete.

Clarity rating: 5

The use of colors illustrates different concepts very well. However, the mechanisms need to be in a format so that they can easily be incorporated into a powerpoint presentation.

Consistency rating: 5

The presentation of the topics is consistent throughout the book. The utilization of colors are consistent.

Modularity rating: 5

The mechanisms are not in a good format to copy and paste into a powerpoint. They should be horizontal, not vertical. The chapters are divided well into separate topics.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

Overall, the topics are in an order that is typically taught in an organic chemistry class. SN1 and SN2 vs E1 and E2 should be in two different chapters. These topics need to be earlier in the book.

Interface rating: 5

The book’s pictures are clear and the text is very readable. The drawings and font are consistent throughout the book. No problems with interface.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

I did not find any grammatical errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

There are little or no references to races, ethnicities, or backgrounds. There should not be anyway.

Comments

DEPT 45 is also a useful tool and is not listed. If the 1H NMR and 13C NMR data was put into tables, it would be easier to understand. More worked examples are needed for spectra problems. COSY and HSQC should be included. The mechanism arrows need to be fixed.

Reviewed by Vanessa Garcia, Lecturer, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on 5/3/24

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

McMurry does a great job at breaking down terms in the glossary.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

To the best of my knowledge, McMurry applies accurate content that is error-free and unbiased.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

McMurry's examples of real world applications is relevant not only today, but from years past that can be applied today.

Clarity rating: 5

I enjoy that the textbook is full of color as this helps those visualize how certain processes take place.

Consistency rating: 5

I appreciate the summary at the end of chapters as this will help students get the big scope of the content being discussed.

Modularity rating: 5

McMurry does well at incorporating applications/word-problems after a few sections as this lets students begin to apply what was just discussed.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The books organization is very well done, full of color, and easy break down of the concepts.

Interface rating: 5

To the best of my knowledge, I did not encounter problems with navigation or distorted images.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

To the best of my knowledge, I did not encounter grammatical errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

To the best of my knowledge, I did not encounter text that was insensitive or offensive.

Comments

The first organic chemistry textbook I bought as an undergraduate was McMurry's 6th edition. I have been a fan of his books ever since. Now that the latest edition is available via OpenStax, I cannot be more excited. Students will learn to apply for the fundamentals of Organic Chemistry as McMurry does a great job of breaking down the subject matter and incorporating real world applications.

Reviewed by Mary Robert Garrett, Professor of Chemistry and Division I (BIO, CHM, MAT, NUR, PHY) Chair, Berea College on 11/29/23

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

Yes. This textbook covers a wealth of organic chemistry content and could be used for three organic chemistry courses--Organic Chemistry I, Organic Chemistry II, and Advanced Organic Chemistry. Key terms can be found bolded in the text, and in a list at the end of each chapter with links to where they are used in the text. The Study Guide and Student Solutions manual are also openly licensed and free for students in digital formats.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

The content appears to be essentially error-free. There may be a missing chemical subscript missing in a place, or two, but nothing that will confuse a student or hinder their learning.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

The content is current with applications to everyday life at the end of each chapter in a section titled, “Chemistry Matters.” Examples range from the importance of Vitamin D, to how epoxy resins and adhesives are used in commercial products, to cocaine and anesthetics.

Clarity rating: 5

The text is very easy to follow with figures and tables well-placed. New terms are highlighted and strengthen content knowledge.

Consistency rating: 5

Yes, each chapter is displayed in the same format beginning with a "Why is this important" and ending with "Chemistry Matters." The subsections are consistent as well.

Modularity rating: 5

The textbook has excellent modularity. I see chapters that can be pulled for three different courses—Organic Chemistry I (Chapters 1-13); Organic Chemistry II (Chapters 14-24); and Advanced Organic Chemistry (Sections 5.9-5.12, Chapter 30, and 31), where students can read a later chapter and understand it at a particular level without rereading a previous chapter.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The order of the content is different than the text I normally teach from, but the author does an excellent job of defending this specific order, so I think I’ll give it a try. I like the chapter on “An Overview of Organic Reactions” before diving into reaction classes. I think it will help students recognize the similarities and patterns between reactions. I normally teach the mass spec, NMR and IR chapters out of order, sooner than listed. The analysis of those instruments is so different, that students normally struggle with such a “different” concept at the end of a semester.

Interface rating: 4

One inconsistency that I found distracting was the size of the structures throughout the text. In one table, the chemical structures changed size from molecule to molecule which distracted from the flow. The interface was okay moving between the end-of-section practice problems and the solutions, but it gave away all of the answers with one click. I was also hoping for a bit of interaction with the 3D molecules. I was expecting to be able to manipulate them. While that certainly goes beyond what a typical textbook can do, that would certainly make the online textbook far more engaging.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

I did not notice any.

Cultural Relevance rating: 2

I was pleased to see a linked resource by Dr. Rhett Smith (Clemson University) to provide a “more complete, diverse, and inclusive picture of the development and current state of organic chemistry research.” This component acknowledges the need for diversity. While there was a Japanese track team, a black music conductor (leading a white orchestra), and one sunbather of color, the majority of images were of white people (scientist on the computer (though female), pole vaulter, Kansas City pitcher, officer with a "drunkometer" test, kayaker, rock climber, officers with tear gas masks, etc.). I would have appreciated more diversity in the images.

Comments

I do really like the content, the level of explanation, the images, and clarity of this textbook. I plan to use it for my Organic Chemistry II course next spring, as well as my Advanced Organic Chemistry course.