In deciding what constitutes essential organic chemistry, we should keep in mind what the students need to know for making their career in medicine or other health professions. Based on the answers to those questions, we made content and organizational choices with the following goals in mind: ? Students should understand how and why organic compounds react the way they do. ? Students should understand that the reactions require basic knowledge which is incorporated in this book. ? Students should appreciate the fun and challenge involved in the synthesis of organic compounds. Students should analyze how the organic chemistry is integral to biology, to medicine and to their daily lives.