The papers included in this issue of ECS Transactions were originally presented in the symposium ¿Synthetic and Mechanistic Organic Electron Transfer Reactions¿, held during the 216th meeting of The Electrochemical Society, in Vienna, Austria from October 4 to 9, 2009.

Exploring the importance of Richard F. Heck’s carbon coupling reaction, this book highlights the subject of the 2010 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for palladium-catalyzed cross couplings in organic synthesis, and includes a foreword from Nobel Prize winner Richard F. Heck. The Mizoroki-Heck reaction is a palladium-catalyzed carbon–carbon bond forming process which is widely used in organic and organometallic synthesis. It has seen increasing use in the past decade as chemists look for strategies enabling the controlled construction of complex carbon skeletons. The Mizoroki-Heck Reaction is the first dedicated volume on this important reaction, including topics on: mechanisms of the Mizoroki-Heck reaction intermolecular Mizoroki-Heck reactions focus on regioselectivity and product outcome in organic synthesis waste-minimized Mizoroki-Heck reactions intramolecular Mizoroki-Heck reactions formation of heterocycles chelation-controlled Mizoroki-Heck reactions the Mizoroki-Heck reaction in domino processes oxidative heck-type reactions (Fujiwara-Moritani reactions) Mizoroki-Heck reactions with metals other than palladium ligand design for intermolecular asymmetric Mizoroki-Heck reactions intramolecular enantioselective Mizoroki-Heck reactions desymmetrizing Mizoroki-Heck reactions applications in combinatorial and solid phase syntheses, and the development of modern solvent systems and reaction techniques the asymmetric intramolecular Mizoroki-Heck reaction in natural product total synthesis Several chapters are devoted to asymmetric Heck reactions with particular focus on the construction of otherwise difficult-to-obtain sterically congested tertiary and quaternary carbons. Industrial and academic applications are highlighted in the final section. The Mizoroki-Heck Reaction will find a place on the bookshelves of any organic or organometallic chemist. “I am convinced that this book will rapidly become the most important reference text for research chemists in academia and industry who seek orientation in the rapidly growing and – for the layman – confusing field described as the “’Mizoroki–Heck reaction’.” (Synthesis, March 2010)

Organic Redox Chemistry Explore the most recent advancements and synthesis applications in redox chemistry Redox chemistry has emerged as a crucial research topic in synthetic method development. In Organic Redox Chemistry: Chemical, Photochemical and Electrochemical Syntheses, some key researchers in this field, including editors Dr. Frédéric W. Patureau and the late Dr. Jun-Ichi Yoshida, deliver an insightful exploration of this rapidly developing topic. This book highlights electron transfer processes in synthesis by using different techniques to initiate them, allowing for a multi-directional perspective in organic redox chemistry. Covering a wide array of the important and recent developments in the field, Organic Redox Chemistry will earn a place in the libraries of chemists seeking a one-stop resource that compares chemical, photochemical, and electrochemical methods in organic synthesis.

Praise for the Fourth Edition"Outstanding praise for previous editions.the single best general reference for the organic chemist."-Journal of the Electrochemical Society"The cast of editors and authors is excellent, the text is, in general, easily readable and understandable, well documented, and well indexed those who purchase the book will be sa

Samarium diiodide is one of the most important reducing agents available to synthetic organic chemists. The lanthanide(II) reagent acts by single-electron transfer to organic substrates leading to the formation of both radical and/or anionic intermediates. The power of the reagent arises from its versatility - samarium diiodide can be used in processes ranging from functional group conversions to elaborate carbon-carbon bond-forming cyclization sequences that result in a dramatic increase in molecular complexity. In addition, reactions involving samarium diiodide often show high stereoselectivity as samarium ions can coordinate to Lewis basic sites on substrates and can direct the stereochemical course of reactions. The ability to fine-tune the reactivity of the reagent by the use of additives and co-solvents is an additional, attractive feature. Although samarium diiodide is used extensively by organic chemists, there is still a widely held view that the reagent can be difficult to prepare and use. In addition, samarium diiodide can mediate such a wide variety of organic chemistry that potential new users are often overawed by the extensive primary literature on the reagent. The objective of this book is to provide a concise, practical guide to the reagent. Rather than being a comprehensive review of the chemistry of samarium diiodide, this user-friendly book adopts an "an all you need to know" approach to the topic. The international authors are well-known for their work with the reagent and their expertise covers current developments in new reactivity and selectivity, applications in target synthesis, co-solvent and additive effects, coordination chemistry and mechanism. The book includes the best methods for preparing and handling the reagent, how solvents, co-solvents and additives alter reactivity, the basic mechanisms of reactions, common transformations using the reagent, and emerging areas in samarium diiodide chemistry. The authors have distilled the extensive primary literature to allow the reader to quickly grasp an understanding of the reagent and its utility. The illustrative practical procedures help the reader to prepare and use the reagent in the laboratory while references from the recent literature allow readers to pursue their interest in the popular reagent. The book also contains many illustrations and chemical schemes.