Organic Chemistry: an informal history

This book is a history of the development of the science know as organic chemistry, which covers the period from roughly 1800 to the present day. I try to show the advancement of our understanding of organic chemistry from the theory of vital force to molecular orbital theory. The principal personalities and their contributions and influence on the direction of the science are identified. The influence of other sciences, development of instrumentation, economics, war and government regulations on organic chemistry are presented. Major theoretical breakthroughs are highlighted. Changes in the profession of chemistry are summarized. Issues of priority, intellectual property, and personal disputes are mentioned. Many graphics are used and citations of the primary and secondary literature are provided in about 300 footnotes.