Introduction to Organic Chemistry

Organic chemistry deals with the compounds of carbon. The science of organic chemistry is considered to have originated in 1685 with the publication by Lemery of a chemistry book that classified substances according to their origin as mineral, vegetable, or animal. Compounds derived from plants and animals became known as organic and those derived from nonliving sources were inorganic.

The fundamental information that environmental engineers and scientists need concerning organic chemistry differs considerably from that which the organic chemist requires. This difference is due to the fact that chemists are concerned principally with the synthesis of compounds, whereas environmental engineers and scientists are concerned, in the main, with how the organic compounds in liquid, solid, and gaseous wastes can be destroyed and how they react in the environment.

This book provides an extensive account of recent developments in the field. Attempts have been made to design a textbook by incorporating important topics that are useful and effective for students.