Before the publication of this book, chemists looking for an introductory survey of ketene chemistry found themselves facing a serious problem: such works were either out-of-date or uneven in their coverage, or both. With the publication of Ketenes, Thomas Tidwell has succeeded in producing a truly comprehensive, up-to-date introduction to the entire field of ketene chemistry. Coverage extends from the first example of this family of chemicals discovered in 1905 through the most recent findings of 1994. This single, affordable volume covers all aspects of ketene chemistry, including:
- Types of ketenes
- Reactions of ketenes, including mechanisms and synthetic applications
- Syntheses
- Spectroscopic studies
- Theoretical studies
One thousand known ketenes (those molecules containing the C=C=O grouping) are listed in tables and classified according to structural type, along with Chemical Abstracts reference numbers, as well as a note about the method of preparation, and references.
Professor Tidwell also presents several controversial topics in detail, especially the mechanism of [2+2] ketene cycloaddition and the mechanism of nucleophilic additions.
For professors and students of organic chemistry, as well as chemical and pharmaceutical researchers, this volume stands alone in its usefulness. Its concise treatment of specific topics will serve as a starting point for any work dealing with ketenes, and its abundant references (over 2,500) will lead the reader to the full details.
Not since Hermann Staudinger, the discoverer of ketenes, wrote his 1912 classic, Die Ketene, has there been as thorough a treatment of the field as this. Professor Thomas Tidwell's Ketenes provides in a single, affordable volume an up-to-date introduction to all aspects of ketene chemistry, including:
- Types of ketenes
- Reactions of ketenes, including mechanisms and synthetic applications
- Syntheses
- Spectroscopic studies
- Theoretical studies
In addition, Tidwell has compiled tables of 1,000 known ketenes and classified them according to structural type with Chemical Abstracts reference numbers. Over 2,500 references to the scientific literature lead the reader to further information on specific subject areas.
Designed for professors and students of organic chemistry as well as chemical and pharmaceutical industry researchers, Ketenes will serve as an indispensable guide for any work dealing with ketenes.
