Organic Chemistry: The Name Game

Book excerpt: Organic Chemistry: The Name Game: Modern Coined Terms and their Origins is a lighthearted take on the usually difficult and systematic nomenclature found in organic chemistry. However, despite the lightheartedness, the book does not lose its purpose, which is to serve as a source of information on this particular subject of organic chemistry. The book, arranged into themes, discusses some organic compounds and how they are named based on their structure, makeup, and components. The text also explains the use of Greek and Latin prefixes in nomenclature and many other principles in nomenclature. The book also includes an appendix that contains very useful information on nomenclature, such as the etymology of certain element and chemical names, numerical prefixes, and the Greek alphabet. The text is not only for students who wish to be familiarized with a different style of organic chemistry nomenclature, but also for professors who aim to give students an enjoyable yet memorable learning experience.