In this text for undergraduates, Sorrell (University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill) integrates structural and mechanical perspectives to highlight the similarities of biochemical and synthetic reactions. The text focuses on patterns of chemical reactivity by combining information about the structures of functional groups (the reactive portions of a molecule) with the reaction mechanisms (pathways of chemical reactions) that these functional groups undergo. This second edition features a new organization, and many new solved examples are included. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)