Decomposition and Isomerization of Organic Compounds

The decomposition and isomerization of hydrocarbons / K.J. Laidler, L.F. Loucks -- The decomposition of halogen compounds / E.S. Swinbourne -- The decomposition of aldehydes and ketones / T. Bérces -- The unimolecular decomposition and isomerization of oxygenated organic compounds (other than aldehydes and ketones) / W.H. Richardson, H.E. O'Neal -- Unimolecular homogeneous decompositions and isomerizations of nitrogen compounds / O.P. Strausz, J.W. Lown, H.E. Gunning -- Unimolecular homogeneous decompositions and isomerizations of sulfur compounds / O.P. Strausz, H.E. Gunning, J.W. Lown.

In May of 1991, Victor Van Buren, who was then with Springer Verlag in New York City, asked us for timely topics in the earth sciences that would be appropriate for publication as a book. We all quickly agreed that recent interest and research activity on the role of organic acids in geological processes would make a timely book on this diverse and controversial topic. As coeditors, we outlined chapter topics for such a book that maintained a good balance between geological and geochemical interests. Specific authors were then sought for each of the chapter topics. We had exceptional success in getting leading researchers as authors, and their response was universally enthusiastic. This approach has been most gratifying in that it provides a cohesion and conciseness that is not always present in books representing compilations of papers from symposia. This book does not resolve the controver sies that exist regarding the significance of organic acids in geolog ical processes. However, it does present both sides of the controver sies in terms of available data and current interpretations. Readers may judge for themselves and envisage research necessary to resolve these controversies in the future. We thank the authors of this book for their participation, dedication, and cooperation. We are also grateful for support from Dr. Wolfgang Engel and his staff at Springer-Verlag (Heidelberg) in expediting the editing and publication of this book in a timely manner.

Although numerical data are, in principle, universal, the compilations presented in this book are extensively annotated and interleaved with text. This translation of the second German edition has been prepared to facilitate the use of this work, with all its valuable detail, by the large community of English-speaking scientists. Translation has also provided an opportunity to correct and revise the text, and to update the nomenclature. Fortunately, spectroscopic data and their relationship with structure do not change much with time so one can predict that this book will, for a long period of time, continue to be very useful to organic chemists involved in the identification of organic compounds or the elucidation of their structure. Klaus Biemann Cambridge, MA, April 1983 Preface to the First German Edition Making use of the information provided by various spectroscopic tech niques has become a matter of routine for the analytically oriented organic chemist. Those who have graduated recently received extensive training in these techniques as part of the curriculum while their older colleagues learned to use these methods by necessity. One can, therefore, assume that chemists are well versed in the proper choice of the methods suitable for the solution of a particular problem and to translate the experimental data into structural information.

The Chemistry of Organic Sulfur Compounds deals with the chemistry of organic sulfur compounds such as thiocyanates, 1-alkynyl thioethers, thiols, and olefins. Topics covered range from the mechanisms of Raney nickel desulfuration to olefin sulfide chemistry, desulfonylation reactions, and alkaline decomposition of aliphatic disulfides. The reaction of cyanide with cystine and cystine peptides is also discussed. This volume is comprised of 15 chapters and begins with an introduction to electron correlation and bond properties in some selected sulfur compounds including thionyl and sulfuryl fluoride. The following chapters explore the mechanisms of Raney nickel desulfuration; isomerization of organic thiocyanates; polyfluoroalkyl derivatives of sulfur; anionic oxidation of thiols and co-oxidation of thiols with olefins; and the chemistry of the 1,2-sithiole ring. Thiohydantoins, thiophosgene, and the alkaline decomposition of aliphatic disulfides are also considered. The final chapter is devoted to oxidation of disulfides, with special reference to cystine. This book will be a useful resource for organic chemists.