The first chapter describes the manifold ways in which the latent functionality embedded in the humble heterocycle furan can be revealed by various oxidative processes.The second chapter details the fascinating cycloaddition and electrocyclization chemistry of unsaturated ketenes. The third chapter chronicles the development of a remarkable organometallic reaction of unactivated alkenes and alkynes, namely carbozincation.

SCOTT E. DENMARK is the R. C. Fuson Professor of Chemistry at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In addition to his editor-in-chief role for Organic Reactions, he is an editor for Organic Syntheses and for the Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis, both available from Wiley.