The series Topics in Current Chemistry presents critical reviews of the present and future trends in modern chemical research. The scope of coverage is all areas of chemical science including the interfaces with related disciplines such as biology, medicine and materials science.The goal of each thematic volume is to give the non-specialist reader, whether in academia or industry, a comprehensive insight into an area where new research is emerging which is of interest to a larger scientific audience.Each review within the volume critically surveys one aspect of that topic and places it within the context of the volume as a whole. The most significant developments of the last 5 to 10 years are presented using selected examples to illustrate the principles discussed. The coverage is not intended to be an exhaustive summary of the field or include large quantities of data, but should rather be conceptual, concentrating on the methodological thinking that will allow the non-specialist reader to understand the information presented. Contributions also offer an outlook on potential future developments in the field.Review articles for the individual volumes are invited by the volume editors.Readership: research chemists at universities or in industry, graduate students

Cyclodextrins are an extremely versatile class of chemicals highly prized for their ability to incorporate a plethora of organic, inorganic and biologic guest molecules into their hydrophobic cavities and form host-guest inclusion complexes. As excellent molecular receptors, they have long been exploited in many important industries such as food and agriculture, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, textiles, analytical chemistry and enzyme mimics.Researchers, technicians and application specialists in many industries will appreciate this handy volume that systematically discusses how cyclodextrins are applied in their industries. Special attention is devoted to the preparation of inclusion complexes, novel properties of the resultant complexes, and details on applying those properties to industry.

Are American schools socially just institutions? Using the methods of political philosopher John Rawls, this book answers this question by arguing for four principles that express the basic purposes that Americans hold for their schools principles of Personal Liberty, Democracy, Equal Opportunity, and Economic Growth. These principles are then used to analyze current controversies in American education policy and practice about curriculum content, instructional methods, education standards, civic education, control of schools, and school finance. It concludes that in each arena prevailing practice falls to attain Americans' political ideals for their schools and suggests strategies for remedying that failure.

Strategies and Tactics in Organic Synthesis, Volume 13, provides a forum for investigators to discuss their approach to the science and art of organic synthesis. Rather than a simple presentation of data or a secondhand analysis, this classic provides stories that vividly demonstrate the power of the human endeavor known as organic synthesis and the creativity and tenacity of its practitioners. Firsthand accounts of each project present the excitement of conception, the frustration of failure and the joy experienced when either rational thought or good fortune gives rise to the successful completion of a project. Readers will be educated, challenged and inspired by these accounts, which portray the idea that triumphs do not come without challenges. This innovative approach also helps illustrate how challenges to further advance the science and art of organic synthesis can be overcome, driving the field forward to meet the demands of society by discovering new reactions, creating new designs and building molecules with atom and step economies that provide functional solutions to create a better world.

Contributors were asked to emphasize their own experience with nanoparticles or microspheres. They were also encouraged to provide aspects normally not stipulated in specialized reviews. The objective was to produce a book which although written by specialists, presented a subject which could be easily understood by people in different fields of life sciences. Another goal was to set up a condensed work covering many aspects of nanoparticles and microspheres. That is the reason why, although mainly dealing with synthetic drug carriers, the first chapter is related to preparation and physicochemical properties of nanoparticles constructed from natural polymers. This is followed by two chapters involving the application of polymeric drug carriers in cancer therapy. The second chapter extensively describes in vitro and in vivo behaviour of purely synthetic nanoparticles. As ub the case of liposomes, a problem can be that some particles are preferentially taken up by the reticuloendothelial system. Magnetic drug carriers provide a partial answer to this problem since their tropism can be managed by an external magnet. The third chapter is entirely devoted to this aspect. A brief but original application of nanoparticles is given in the fourth chapter by reviewing their use in ocular therapy. Finally, two general applications of polymeric microspheres are discussed in chapters 5 and 6.

Advances in Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biochemistry, Volume 74, presents a definitive interpretation of the current status and future trends in carbohydrate chemistry and biochemistry. Since its inception in 1945, the series has provided critical and informative articles written by research specialists that integrate the industrial, analytical and technological aspects of biochemistry, organic chemistry and instrumentation methodology to the study of carbohydrates.

This book is devoted to the description of the basic principles of X-ray diffraction on noncrystalline systems and to the correlation between diffracted intensities and structure. It presents a critical comparison between the results obtained by XRD and the ones obtained by neutron diffraction.

The Alkaloids, Volume 78 is the latest update in a series that has not only covered the topic for more than 60 years, but is also touted as the leading book series in the field of alkaloid chemistry. Topics of note in this updated volume include The Acridone Alkaloids, The Galbulimima-Alkaloids, the Total Synthesis of Lundurine and Related Alkaloids: Recent Applications, The Moschamine-Related Indole Alkaloids, and Alkaloids of the Lauraceae. In more than 75 volumes, all aspects of alkaloids, including chemistry, biology and pharmacology are covered in high-quality, timeless reviews written by renowned experts in the field.

Advances in Physical Organic Chemistry, Volume 51, the latest release in the series, is the definitive resource for authoritative reviews of work in physical organic chemistry. It provides a valuable source of information for not only physical organic chemists applying their expertise to both novel and traditional problems, but also for non-specialists across diverse areas who identify a physical organic component in their approach to research. Its hallmark is a quantitative, molecular level understanding of phenomena across a diverse range of disciplines.

From Artemisia annua L. to Artemisinins: The Discovery and Development of Artemisinins and Antimalarial Agents is the first book that systematically introduces the origin and development of artemisinine and artemisinine-based drugs. It includes four distinct sections, including Artemisia annua L., Artemisinin, Dihydroartemisinin, and other artemisinin derivatives. Tu Youyou, the chief inventor of artemisinin, together with other members from the research team, have written a book that will be a valuable reference work for both researchers involved in the medical industry and scholars who are interested in undertaking innovative research.

Green Chemistry has evolved in response to several environmental issues in the second half of the last century, mostly due to the almost freely expanding chemical, petrochemical, and pharmaceutical industries. During the past two decades Green Chemistry grew rapidly and we can now consider this area as a mature and powerful field. Tremendous development has taken place in many important areas including renewable energy and resources, reaction environments, catalysis, synthesis, chemical biology, green materials, in situ monitoring and facile recycling. The combination of Green Chemistry with engineering, biology, toxicology, and physics will lead to novel interdisciplinary systems, which can now lift Green Chemistry to the next, advanced level.The editors of this book have assembled as authors among the best specialists of this growing area of research. This collection of reviews and perspectives provides an exciting vision of the more recent developments in Green Chemistry. It illustrates the breath of the field and its role to address environmental issues. This volume will serve as a book of reference showing a panoramic view of the field and a preview of its future direction as well as a book of inspiration for those aiming to further advance its frontiers.

Piperidine-Based Drug Discovery outlines the complexities of Piperidine scaffold use in drug discovery, including derivative chemistry, structural properties, methods of synthesis and practical implementations. Piperidine scaffolds are the cornerstones of over 70 commercialized drugs (including multiple blockbusters). Designed as a guide for both experts and students working in this and related areas, it is hoped that this volume will encourage and inspire the continued design and development of novel pharmaceuticals based on Piperidine and its derivatives. Heterocyclic compounds are of central importance to medicinal chemistry, as demonstrated by the high percentage of marketable drugs that feature heterocyclic fragments in their structures. As starting points for drug discovery they offer a broad range of attractive properties, and a detailed understanding of the particular characteristics of each is of great benefit to researchers. The most commonly used heterocycle among US FDA approved pharmaceuticals, Piperidine is an extremely important building block in the synthesis of medicinal agents. This heterocycle and its derivatives exhibit a number of important functionalities and have been employed variously as CNS modulators, antiaggregants, anticoagulants, antihistamines, anti-cancer drugs and analgesics.

This book investigates the development of sorption enhanced reaction processes (SERPs) with detailed modelling and simulation, design and operation of units. SERPs are processes intensified by combining adsorption and reaction, reaction and membranes or reaction/adsorption/membranes in a single unit in order to overcome thermodynamic limitations of conversion in reversible reactions. The focus here is on gas phase and liquid phase processes involving different technologies, including pressure swing adsorptive reactors, membrane reactors and simulated moving bed reactors. Emphasis is also given to presenting data and practical applications of SERP products.Sorption Enhanced Reaction Processes provides undergraduate and graduate students of chemistry and chemical engineering, researchers and industrial engineers with a clear path towards process development of SERP, whatever the area of application.

The Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds, since its inception, has been recognized as a cornerstone of heterocyclic chemistry. Each volume attempts to discuss all aspects - properties, synthesis, reactions, physiological and industrial significance - of a specific ring system. To keep the series up-to-date, supplementary volumes covering the recent literature on each individual ring system have been published. Many ring systems (such as pyridines and oxazoles) are treated in distinct books, each consisting of separate volumes or parts dealing with different individual topics. With all authors are recognized authorities, the Chemistry of Heterocyclic Chemistry is considered worldwide as the indispensable resource for organic, bioorganic, and medicinal chemists.

This volume contains fundamental knowledge regarding the structure and mechanisms of organic sulfur chemistry. Topics include sulfur bondings, effects of sulfur groups, stereochemistry around sulfur, substitution, ligand coupling within s-sulfurane, oxidation, reduction and rearrangement. References in this work total over 2,300. Anyone with an interest in organic sulfur chemistry will find this book to be fascinating reading.

A compilation of all the known information on terpenoids specifically triterpenoids, is presented in these volumes. The most important available information on a particular compound is discussed, such as its isolation/occurence, available spectral data, and leading references on structural determination. Additionally, triterpenoids synthesis, biosynthesis, proven pharmacological properties, and any known applications are explained. A comprehensive general introduction has been included which surveys the development of triterpenoid chemistry from the beginning to the present. Extremely helpful is the selected list of references to books and reviews dealing with various aspects of triterpenoid chemistry.

In order to get a general concept of organophosphorus pesticides with such a variety in structure and biological activities, consideration of each aspect of chemistry, biochemistry, and the applied sciences is necessary. This book consists of these three main parts. After the presentation of the background of phosphorus chemistry in Chapter 1, stress was put on the chemical and biochemical reactions of organophosphorus pesticides, including synthesis, analysis, metabolism mode of action, and other interesting aspects in Chapter 2 to 4, and on the structure-pesticidal activity relationship in Chapter 5.

Reactivity of P-H Group of Phosphorus Based Compounds bridges the gap between inorganic and organic phosphorus compounds, providing a basis to explore the myriad possibilities for synthesis of novel low and high molecular phosphorus-containing compounds. It covers well-documented reactions in detail, including: tautomerization, oxidation, reduction, alkylation, oxidation coupling, addition reaction to: carbon-carbon multiple bonds, Schiff base, isocyanates, nitriles, epoxides; addition to carbonyl group, Kabachnik- Fields reaction, cross-coupling reaction and more. In an accessible style complete with synthetic routes and figures, the resource then covers the reactivity of multiple P-H group members: phosphines, phosphine oxides, hypophosphorus acid, H-phosphinic acids and polys(alkylene H-phosphonate). This valuable coverage supports the advancement of research and applications in this area for scientists solving a scientific problem or starting a variety of new projects, such as a new reaction for the synthesis of biologically active compounds, new methods of polymer synthesis or a new methodology for polymer modification.

Dehydroacetic Acid and Its Derivatives: Useful Synthons in Organic Synthesis outlines the use of DHA and its derivatives for the synthesis of pharmacologically active heterocyclic compounds. Beginning with an introduction to the chemistry and reactivity of Dehydroacetic Acid, the book goes on to outline the key ring transformation reactions of DHA. The synthesis of various derivatives is then discussed, before a wide range of metal complexes of DHA are explored in detail. The book then concludes with a review of DHA's biological importance and its impressive range of pharmacological activities, including anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and analgesic properties. For those researching the synthesis of bioactive heterocyclic compounds, this book is a valuable guide on the fundamental knowledge needed to facilitate and enhance the successful synthesis of lead molecules.

Cryptands were introduced by Jean-Marie Lehn in 1969 as cage-shaped selective ligands for alkali and alkaline-earth metal ions, which lie at the heart of supramolecular chemistry. This book reports on much of the research in the field since the '70s, and looks at, amongst other topics, metal coordination chemistry, anion coordination chemistry, the encapsulation and taming of reactive anions, the formation of cascade complexes and the design of fluorescent sensors for ionic analytes.Cryptands and Cryptates has been written as a coursebook, structured as a series of lectures for graduate students or advanced researchers in chemistry, materials science, chemical biology and nanotechnology. It is fully illustrated to show experiments and results, and is intended to stimulate further interest in this fertile field of supramolecular chemistry.Chapters are preceded by a Foreword by Jean-Marie Lehn.

A thorough understanding of stereochemistry is essential for the comprehension of almost all aspects of modern organic chemistry. It is also of great significance in many biochemical and medicinal disciplines, since the stereoisomers of a compound can have dramatically different biological properties. This text explains how the different properties of stereoisomers of a compound arise, and what processes can be used to prepare and analyze stereoisomerically pure compounds. It also presents prominent coverage of the stereochemistry of inorganic and organometallic compounds, which is likely to increase in importance, as these compounds are used as symmetric catalysts in asymmetric synthesis. Modern stereochemical terminology is used throughout, although reference is also made to older terms which are still widely used. A set of problems at the end of each chapter aims to further the reader's understanding of how the content can be applied. The book is designed mainly as a textbook for undergraduate students and as a reference source for more advanced levels, but is also intended for academic and professional organic chemists.

The main subject division of this book include the theory of Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy; measurement and standardization of diffuse reflectance; instrumentation; application to color measurement and physical, inorganic, and organic chemistry; and applications in chromatographic analysis.While the use of reflectance spectroscopy dates from the 1920s, it has only been in the last decade that its analytical potential has been developed. Interestingly, much of the early research involved industrial uses where measurement of color was required. The development and acceptance of thin-layer chromatography has opened up new areas of analysis for the application of this technique.It is not the purpose of this book to delve deeply into the theoretical aspects of reflectance spectroscopy, as this book has already been done in several previous books. Insofar as it is possible, this book is an up-to-date guide to instruments and techniques intended primarily for the chemical analyst, though it is hoped that it may contain information of interest to other scientists. The potential for the application of this technique is great and the authors feel confident that the coming decade will see many interesting developments in this type of spectroscopy study, particularly in the field of analysis.

Much has been written about immobilized enzymes during this period of time. So much, in fact, that it can become difficult even for those involved in developing new enzymatic food processing operations to bridge the gap between the field of immobilized enzymes and their specific requirements. It is the purpose of this book to assist those engaged in this difficult task. It is also a goal to bring to the researcher in enzyme immobilization an appreciation for the requirements of the food processing industry.

Reasons for the study of tissue materials are discussed. Specific aspects of the musculo-skeletal system are considered, the main emphasis being on bone. Structure and different mechanical properties of parying types of bone are discussed by the authors, with the concluding chapter dealing with mechanically mediated electrical properties and their relevance to bone structure and to growth or repair.

Advances in Asymmetric Autocatalysis and Related Topics provides various viewpoints on the important developments in asymmetric autocatalysis that have occurred in the past few years, also including brand new information in the field. Asymmetric autocatalysis is a chemical reaction which leads from achiral starting materials to chiral products, and in which the product accelerates its own formation reaction (conventional catalysis) and promotes the prevalence of its own chiral configuration (asymmetric induction). The combination of these two effects in the same reaction was unprecedented before 1995 when it was first described by Kenso SOAI at the Tokyo University of Science. Since then, several new combinations of this effect have been found, most intriguingly the possibility of absolute asymmetric synthesis, which is the spontaneous formation of the excess of one of the enantiomers of the product, a dream of organic chemists for more than a century. The book contains expert-contributed chapters that describe the most exciting recent developments in the field of the Soai reaction and in related topics, ranging from mechanistic studies and theoretical research, to very practical problems in chiral syntheses and products.