Let’s face it, organic chemistry can seem difficult to learn. especially from a beginner’s point of view. For precisely that reason, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to choosing the best organic chemistry textbook for your situation.
but of all of them, how do you choose the best? the amount of material out there is overwhelming. but don’t worry!
You are reading: Best organic chemistry books
No matter if you are a student, a chemistry or research professional, a college professor, a parent, or a high school teacher, there is always a good organic chemistry book for you.
In this comprehensive review we will help you buy the textbook you need!
what is the best organic chemistry book?
if you don’t want to look any further and go straight to the first choice for most situations, clayden, greeves and warren’s “organic chemistry” is definitely the best textbook for most the needs.
first class learning approach, easy to follow, lots of “real life” examples, plenty of practice problems, and beautiful graphics. If I only had to pick one, this would be the best organic chemistry textbook out there: clayden’s organic chemistry
clayden’s organic chemistry will never fail you as a chemistry textbook. If you want an organic chemistry textbook for self-study, this will be great too. however, you may be looking for something different. or for a different teaching approach. or maybe you’re looking for something more advanced that will be worth checking out for years to come. I have many of the books on this list sitting in my office these days, and my college student days are long gone.
Keep reading and you will find your most suitable recommendation!
summary table: the 13 best textbooks
In the following table, you can see a brief description of each book. so you can know at first glance if it fits your needs.
haven’t decided yet? don’t worry! Below is the most comprehensive and comprehensive review of the best organic textbooks on the internet.
Also, if you’re looking for the best plugin for learning organic chemistry, check out our review of the best organic chemistry model kits.
full review of all books
1. clay organic chemistry
As we have clearly stated, Clayden is going to be the best organic chemistry book in most situations. This book is written by Jonathan Clayden, Nick Greeves, and Stuart Warren. it is basic enough that if you are just beginning to study organic chemistry, you can get up to speed. but it also covers topics from more advanced organic chemistry courses.
If you’re a teacher, it’ll also be a solid bet for planning conferences. plus, it’s a great organic chemistry reference textbook for any chemist. this book has been on my shelf ever since i started studying chemistry and it always has a place there. it’s also one of the few affordable stand-alone chemistry textbooks out there.
Clayden is considered by many to be the best book on organic chemistry. Clayden emphasizes concepts and bringing those concepts together, building them one on top of the other. The first edition was published in 2001, but the latest (2012) extensively covers the most relevant topics in organic chemistry in recent years, such as the palladium-catalyzed Suzuki or Heck reactions, or the Grubbs metathesis reaction (all award-winning with the Nobel prize).
a progressive form of fundamental understanding
if you really want to understand the fundamentals of organic chemistry, clayden’s is the best choice. most other textbooks are structured around functional groups and the sets of reactions you can run to make or get to them.
on the other hand, clayden starts by introducing a very simple and common reaction: addition reactions to carbonyl compounds. then he reviews different carbonyl reactions, such as substitution or condensations (reactions with loss of water). This gentle and progressive mechanistic approach makes Clayden stand out among all organic chemistry texts, which are generally more “simple” and rely on individual chapters for individual types of molecules.
clayden: rich, visually appealing and entertaining content:
This brilliant textbook is one of the few that makes good use of color as a visual learning tool. this, in my opinion, should be required for any good organic chemistry textbook published after 2010.
The style of the book is quite unique. it is written in an informal and honest way that makes it extremely enjoyable to follow. furthermore, many examples based on interesting/famous molecules or chemical problems are presented throughout the book. the only drawbacks i can think of is that some of the final chapters, like the ones on organometallic chemistry, would be better if they were a bit more expanded. besides, there are no problems in the chapter. finally, as you can see, the last edition is from 2012; if getting a very up-to-date textbook is one of your top priorities, maybe you should look at other texts.
Otherwise, clayden is clearly the best tool for learning organic chemistry. Surprisingly, they use molecular orbital theory as a model to streamline explanations from the start, which is great for learning purposes.
Overall, Clayden’s Organic Chemistry Textbook is a perfect blend of good content, excellent formatting, and an educational and entertaining style.
2. klein organic chemistry
second only to clayden, his organic chemistry by david r. klein from a purely introductory organic chemistry textbook point of view, klein’s organic chemistry might be slightly above clayden’s organic chemistry.
clayden’s is our top 1 option because it is versatile to cover different needs or situations. But if you are interested in the best organic chemistry textbook to follow and understand introductory organic chemistry concepts, Klein is the way to go. it’s also in the affordable range of textbooks.
Klein Organic Chemistry stand-alone book uses a skills-based approach. they introduce and build on all the typical concepts you might find in any organic chemistry textbook. but they emphasize developing the ability to understand and support these concepts. many teachers I know believe that this book follows the best approach to teaching organic chemistry.
klein – an excellent tool for students looking for the best introduction to organic chemistry
The book includes many problems, not only at the end of each chapter (in the traditional way), but also wherever they may be relevant to the reader’s understanding of the content. If you’re really interested in introductory problems, you can also get a copy of the student study guide and solutions manual.
This organic chemistry textbook includes many color diagrams, which are especially helpful in identifying different types of bonds or illustrating charge distribution.
Overall, Klein’s Organic Chemistry is the best organic chemistry textbook for a good understanding of the fundamentals of organic chemistry.
3. organic chemistry as a second language
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david r. Klein is not only the author of the independent book that we rank as the best organic chemistry textbook, but he has also published organic chemistry as a second language. I found that a lot of people confuse the two, but they are two completely different books. klein organic chemistry standalone is a classic 1300 page textbook that perfectly covers all the organic chemistry concepts you will ever need.
so what’s the problem with this other book?
well, on the other hand, organic chemistry as a second language is like a condensed 400-page version of the longest book. this version mainly omits backstories, unnecessary examples, and case studies. it comes down to what is really important to understand organic chemistry: concepts, concise introductions, clear explanations, examples and problems.
Organic chemistry is not an easy subject. If you are a student who is going to start taking organic chemistry courses, you need to be prepared. we would say that organic chemistry as a second language is the best organic chemistry book to prepare for this topic.
If you are only interested in excelling organic chemistry, this book is definitely your best weapon. but this does not mean that this book is only for that. no, it definitely covers everything most other textbooks do, but in a much more concise and practical way. Plus, this book includes all the problem solutions by itself, so there’s no need to purchase a separate solution book.
should i go for this shorter option?
but it’s a rather unusual chemistry textbook in that it’s not your typical full 1000+ page book. With that in mind, we’ll try to help you decide if organic chemistry as a second language is right for you.
You should buy organic chemistry as a second language if:
- you’re looking for a book that you can actually read through the month before you start your organic chemistry course, and go from the bottom up in terms of preparation.
- you’re a bit desperate and you think that organic chemistry is too difficult for you. this book will get you out of it.
- you want to succeed in organic chemistry courses/exams (which is not mutually exclusive at all as it is an amazing tool to learn!).
- You want the perfect complement to other regular organic chemistry textbooks, or to a course where you are provided with decent material sets.
- You are a teacher who wants to put together an efficient organic chemistry , effective and complete course.
You should not choose organic chemistry as a second language if:
- You are already familiar with and have a good understanding of most of the basic concepts of organic chemistry.
- You want to buy a book to delve into more advanced concepts.
- You want a good organic chemistry reference textbook.
Overall, this book is excellent for understanding the basics of organic chemistry. puts you in the best possible shape to learn and master organic chemistry.
4. advanced organic chemistry
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the best organic chemistry textbook for advanced users. Carey and Sundberg’s Advanced Organic Chemistry is actually a pair of two textbooks (Part A and Part B), which complement each other very well, but are completely independent in terms of content.
This two-part book is my absolute favorite in the chemistry section of my bookshelf. I own the third and fifth editions of the series, and they have been significantly updated to account for the most recent advances in research.
advanced organic chemistry is simply the most brilliant and detailed account in the field of organic chemistry. Throughout the two volumes, all concepts are explained in detail, with many examples arranged in outlines that resemble an actual scientific review article. this pair of books is probably not the way to go for absolute beginners taking their first organic chemistry course (it would still work, but a lot of information will be over your head). however, if you are an intermediate to graduate student, this textbook is a must! Take a look at each of the volumes below:
advanced organic chemistry part a: structure and mechanisms
The first part covers in depth the fundamentals of organic chemistry and the basic types of mechanisms. this is a top-tier standalone book on these topics, but it complements nicely with the second volume, which deals with reactivity and synthesis.
advanced organic chemistry part b: reaction and synthesis
Part B of the best advanced organic chemistry textbook focuses on types of reactions and their applications in organic synthesis. Together, the two books provide the most comprehensive foundation for the study of organic chemistry that you can find.
I have yet to meet an organic chemistry professional who does not have or have not heard of advanced organic chemistry as the best organic chemistry textbook.
5. an introduction to general, organic and biological chemistry
We are now jumping from the more advanced organic chemistry textbook to the more general one. timberlake’s chemistry is closer to a general chemistry textbook which then progresses into organic chemistry and biological chemistry.
Are you starting your journey to learning chemistry and interested in a book with a more organic approach? this is definitely your answer!
You really don’t need the typical general chemistry book before you dive into timberlake. You can literally start from scratch with your knowledge of chemistry. the book starts with the required math behind the chemistry and ties it all together in an amazing way.
has a lot of content, but it doesn’t make it hard to read. There are excellent examples, study checks, and practice problems at all levels of “chemical specialization.”
This book can help you complete any general chemistry course and any introductory organic chemistry or even biological chemistry course. Also, if you’re interested in learning chemistry on your own, from general concepts to organic chemistry, this is probably the best way forward.
6. organic chemistry bruce
organic chemistry by paula y. bruice is one of the most recently updated textbooks. If you want to get your hands on an organic chemistry textbook that is extremely well written and easy to follow, Bruce should be on your top list.
This book focuses on answering “why” questions continually, so it constantly solidifies and resolidifies concepts after they’ve already been introduced. there are plenty of practice questions you can dig into.
one of the strongest points is the way the book redirects you all the time to where the concepts were first discussed. this way, if something isn’t very clear, you can instantly find what you need to read to understand it. This way of focusing on concepts and continuing to build on them brings up Bruce just behind the top 5 organic chemistry books.
7. vollhardt organic chemistry: structure and function
This is one of the most famous organic chemistry textbooks, peter c. vollhardt is a great educator. he presents all the concepts and the topic in a comprehensive way. vollhardt will not only give you the basics, but will go deeper into the concepts, reaction mechanisms and explain what exactly happens in all types of organic reactions. This is a very complete book that will never go out of style.
Probably the most significant disadvantage of this organic chemistry text is that it tends to be expensive. but if you can afford it, by all means, go for it!
I would highlight how systematic the book is, and it’s really good for beginners. They adhere to the IUPAC nomenclature in all cases. for example, they use “propanone” instead of the common name “acetone,” or “oxacyclopropane” instead of the common name “ethylene oxide.” Sometimes common nouns coming out of systematic notations can confuse students. you won’t have this problem with vollhardt’s book.
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Other than that, this book is one of the has the most material, you might find it dense at times, but it’s a perfect reference organic chemistry textbook.
8. mcmurry organic chemistry
john mcmurry is another great organic chemistry textbook, recommended by many teachers. I have an early old version of this book and as it has progressed over the years it has gotten significantly thicker so it covers a wider range of topics. however, some people claim that it actually got worse in the reissue process. I haven’t compared different editions myself, but it’s something to keep in mind.
If we were to compare it to its direct competitor, vollhardt, I would say that vollhardt excels in quantity and variety of content. on the other hand, mcmurry is much more concise, resulting in clearer explanations. mcmurry is so easy to read and will make you fall in love with organic chemistry! it’s also a more affordable option.
The main drawbacks I find in this book are the lack of enough practice exercises of increasing difficulty and tips for tackling more difficult problems. Other than that, McMurry is a perfectly good organic chemistry textbook.
9. wade organic chemistry
The 9th edition of this book was recently published (2016) and was written by Leroy G. Wade and Jan W. simek is a brilliant piece of educational material and is definitely among the best organic chemistry textbooks.
The book focuses heavily on homework problems and updates them with each new edition. in terms of content, it’s excellent and is updated quite frequently.
wade’s drawback is that, for a book published in 2016, it is seriously lacking in graphic design and formatting. schematics and drawings are not very attractive and can sometimes be difficult to visualize, which is detrimental when learning organic chemistry.
but on the other hand, the explanations and practice problems are great. Also, Clayden’s, Wade’s was the organic chemistry textbook I used during my undergraduate days. but I think you already know which one I prefer.
10. solomon’s organic chemistry
Another classical organic chemistry textbook that is definitely in the top 10. Just because it’s last doesn’t mean it’s not good. it is a good text. It explains all the concepts quite well, and feeds the importance of understanding and not just memorizing. pushes you through the logic of organic chemistry and makes good use of analogies. you can check solomons organic chemistry here:
The order in which the contents are presented is somewhat strange. sometimes it seems like you have to read the later chapters to understand the earlier ones. That’s not the biggest problem when it comes to a college textbook, but issues like this keep it from being the best organic chemistry textbook.
supplementary and miscellaneous materials
After an exhaustive review of the “classic” best organic chemistry books, we wanted to mention three more books that may be of interest to you. If you are looking for add-ons for your organic chemistry textbook for self-study, you may want to check out some of them.
You’ve decided which textbook to buy, but you’re hungry for more, to be really well prepared, or maybe a book to study on your own!
These are not your typical “stand-alone” college textbooks. however, the highly practical and instructional approach of these books may appeal to you. they will definitely help you lay the foundation for your learning. then you can build on top of that.
11. The Organic Chemistry Lab Survival Manual: A Student Guide to Techniques
This is the best organic chemistry book for the lab. chemistry lab books could fill an entire publication with reviews by themselves. but I wanted to make sure I added the best one here, as a companion to whatever real textbook you’ve chosen.
This survival guide is the best companion for typical college-level (sophomore-junior) organic chemistry lab courses. If you’re teaching or taking any of those courses, grab a copy of this book and jump to the next level!
I have to admit I didn’t know about this book until very recently, but when I read it I thought it would have made my life at school incredibly easier. covers lab safety, how to properly maintain a lab notebook, basic equipment, organic chemistry lab techniques (such as recrystallization, extraction, distillation…) lab tricks, basic experiments, chromatographic techniques such as tlc or flash column, and finally spectroscopy and other characterization techniques. basically everything you need to survive through any organic chemistry lab you can find out there. the book is very useful and extremely engaging, with a playful/informal writing style, you can even find some jokes in it. You won’t regret this purchase!
12. pushing arrows in organic chemistry: an easy approach to understanding reaction mechanisms
I think this is one of the best companion books on organic chemistry. this book by daniel e. Levy fills a significant gap in college chemistry education, organic chemistry is all about pushing arrows. I think most teachers and students would benefit significantly from reading and pushing arrows in organic chemistry. the book paints a good picture of how you should approach learning arrow-pulling mechanisms, which is basically the language of organic chemistry.
makes a great workbook or supplement. however, this is not a textbook or a purely instructional book. it does not start from the concepts for beginners, it does not explain the basic concepts of organic chemistry in the first chapters. it literally dives into the arrow pull mechanisms, making it a very handy resource. it does start explaining concepts after several chapters, and goes back to explain things that were already addressed in a practical way at the beginning. follows a weird order, but might work for you if you just want to “see how things work” from the start of your reading.
13. organic chemistry i for dummies
This member of the “for dummies” series is an interesting quick overview of an introductory organic chemistry course. this is not a textbook, and should not be treated as such. With Organic Chemistry I For Dummies you can scratch the surface of organic chemistry in a very practical way. I am not a particular fan of this textbook. not because it’s not good for learning: it’s great for learning the basics, but then you’ll run out of resources.
covers concepts like nomenclature, stereochemistry, functional groups, very basic organic chemistry reactions (eliminations, substitutions) and has some nice problems. all in a very informal and direct way. if you’re taking an introductory organic chemistry course, this might be the perfect fit. it is highly visual, which is exactly what organic chemistry calls for. Since it’s not a full textbook, just an introductory practical overview, it’s a very affordable resource.
After a while you’ll be hungry for more, which is why I put this book in this last supplementary section.
Summarizing: A brief summary of our top 3 picks
so I’ll end with a quick reference: the three best organic chemistry books. one of these will work for you in most situations, they are safe bets. Depending on your specific needs, you can choose one or the other:
Perhaps you are not yet very interested in organic chemistry. If you’re preparing for your AP Chemistry exam, you should check out this review of our top recommendations for cracking the AP Chemistry exam! Also, here’s to the chemistry sat exams.
We’ve also reviewed some chemistry games for young learners (or even adults!).
Also, by popular demand after receiving several emails, we have also organized other review guides:
- If you’re just starting out with chemistry, check out the best general chemistry textbooks out there!
- A review guide to help you choose the best inorganic chemistry textbook! !
- or check out our general guide to learning chemistry. lots of resources and recommendations there.
If you miss any organic chemistry books that interest you, let us know in the comments and we’ll definitely get a copy and add it to the review. enjoy learning organic chemistry and good luck!
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