The origin of life is one of the biggest unsolved scientific questions. This book deals with the formation and first steps of the chemical evolution of nucleic acids, including the chemical roots behind the origin of their components from the simplest sources in a geochemical context. Chemical evolution encompasses the chemical processes and interactions conducive to self-assembly and supramolecular organization, leading to an increase of complexity and the emergence of life. The book starts with a personal account of the pioneering work of Stanley Miller and Jeffrey Bada on the Chemistry of Origins of Life and how the development of organic chemistry beginning in the 19th century led to the emergence of the field of prebiotic chemistry, situated at the frontier between organic, geo- and biochemistry. It then continues reviewing in tutorial manner current central topics regarding the organization of nucleic acids: the origin of nucleobases and nucleosides, their phosphorylation and polymerization and ultimately, their self-assembly and supramolecular organization at the inception of life.

This is the sixteenth annual volume of Progress in Heterocyclic Chemistry, and covers the literature published during 2003 on most of the important heterocyclic ring systems.
This volume opens with two specialized reviews. The first covers 'Lamellarins: Isolation, activity and synthesis' a significant group of biologically active marine alkaloids and the second discusses 'Radical Additions to Pyridines, Quinolines and Isoquinolines'. The remaining chapters examine the recent literature on the common heterocycles in order of increasing ring size and the heteroatoms present.

This book presents a comprehensive overview on origin, structure, properties, modification strategies and applications of the biopolymer lignin. It is organized into four themed parts. The first part focuses on the analysis and characterization of the second most abundant biopolymer. The following part is devoted to the biological aspects of lignin such as biosynthesis and degradation. In the third part, chemical modification strategies and the preparation of composites as well as nano- and microparticles are discussed.The final part addresses the industrial application of lignin and its derivatives, as well as lignin materials. The usage for synthesis of biofuels, fine chemicals and in agriculture and food industry is covered. This book is a comprehensive source for researchers, scientists and engineers working in the field of biopolymers as well as renewable materials and sources.

This book highlights and investigates novel solid-state luminescent properties of crystals with stimuli-responsive behavior. Several novel molecular designs for controlling crystal structures with photo-physical properties are described, with a special focus on external stimuli-responsive properties. The major goal of the material design concept was to capitalize on the chirality of crystals with stimuli-responsive properties. To allow crystals' chirality to be controlled and modified by means of external stimulation, the axial chirality of biaryl moiety was employed and, interestingly, produced several novel mechano- and vapo-responsive luminescent properties based on crystal-to-crystal or single-crystal-to-single-crystal phase transitions. In addition, the book details how the molecular rotation of luminophores in the solid phase can be used to achieve corresponding thermal-responsive phosphorescence. The reports presented here illustrate how the author has succeeded in controlling structural factors in a bulk environment by using molecular design with linking to photo-physical properties. The content will be of great interest to researchers in the field, and to members of chemical and material science societies.

This book covers the performance aspects of nanocomposite supercapacitor materials based on transition metal oxides, activated carbon, carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, graphene and conducting polymers. It compares the performance of simple electrode materials versus binary and ternary composites, while highlighting the advantages and challenges of different supercapacitor electrode materials. This book is part of the Handbook of Nanocomposite Supercapacitor Materials. Supercapacitors have emerged as promising devices for electrochemical energy storage, playing an important role in energy harvesting for meeting the current demands of increasing global energy consumption. The handbook covers the materials science and engineering of nanocomposite supercapacitors, ranging from their general characteristics and performance to materials selection, design and construction. Covering both fundamentals and recent developments, this handbook serves a readership encompassing students, professionals and researchers throughout academia and industry, particularly in the fields of materials chemistry, electrochemistry, and energy storage and conversion. It is ideal as a reference work and primary resource for any introductory senior-level undergraduate or beginning graduate course covering supercapacitors.

This work highlights a new research area driven by a material science approach to dairy fats and dairy fat-rich products where innovative dairy products and ingredients can be tailor-made. Cutting edge topics such as tribology of dairy fats and dairy products, manipulation of differentiated-sized milk fat globules, milk fat interesterification for infant formula, structuring of lipids in dairy products and production of human milk fat substitutes by including dairy fats are featured in dedicated chapters authored by international scientific experts from across the globe. The text also presents in-depth research on proteomic characterization, digestion and the nutritional functionality of milk fat globule membrane. The biosynthesis, chemistry, digestion and nutritional roles of milk lipids, physics of dairy fats, structure and functionality of the milk fat globule membrane, analytical methods, materials science, technology and manufacturing of dairy fat-rich products such as butter, dairy fat spreads, dairy creams, cream powders and ghee are also covered in-depth. Dairy Fat Products and Functionality: Fundamental Science and Technology is a useful reference text for technologists and scientists interested in advancing their fundamental knowledge of dairy fat and dairy products as well as using a materials science and technology approach to guide efforts or widen research opportunities in optimizing the functionality of these products. From their physics and chemistry to their nutritional values and methodologies, this comprehensive and innovative text covers all the necessary information needed to understand the new methods and technologies driving the modern production of milk fat products.

This book addresses a range of synthesis and characterization techniques that are critical for tailoring and broadening the various aspects of polymer gels, as well as the numerous advantages that polymer gel-based materials offer. It presents a comprehensive collection of chapters on the recent advances and developments in the science and fundamentals of both synthetic and natural polymer-based gels. Topics covered include: synthesis and structure of physically/chemically cross-linked polymer-gels/polymeric nanogels; gel formation through non-covalent cross-linking; molecular design and characterization; polysaccharide-based polymer gels: synthesis, characterization, and properties; modified polysaccharide gels: silica-based polymeric gels as platforms for the delivery of pharmaceuticals; gel-based approaches in genomic and proteomic sciences; emulgels in drug delivery; and organogels. The book provides a cutting-edge resource for researchers and scientists working in various fields involving polymers, biomaterials, bio-nanotechnology and functional materials.

This book is an overview of ESIS Technical Committee 4's activities since the mid-1980s. A wide range of tests is described and the numerous authors is a reflection of the wide and enthusiastic support we have had.
With the establishment of the Technical Committee 4, two major areas were identified as appropriate for the activity. Firstly there was an urgent need for standard, fracture mechanics based, test methods to be designed for polymers and composites. A good deal of academic work had been done, but the usefulness to industry was limited by the lack of agreed standards. Secondly there was a perceived need to explore the use of such data in the design of plastic parts. Some modest efforts were made in early meetings to explore this, but little progress was made. In contrast things moved along briskly in the standards work and this has dominated the activity for the last fourteen years. The design issue remains a future goal.

Water Extraction of Bioactive Compounds: From Plants to Drug Development draws together the expert knowledge of researchers from around the world to outline the essential knowledge and techniques required to successfully extract bioactive compounds for further study. The book is a practical tool for medicinal chemists, biochemists, pharmaceutical scientists and academics working in the discovery and development of drugs from natural sources. The discovery and extraction of bioactive plant compounds from natural sources is of growing interest to drug developers, adding greater fuel to a simultaneous search for efficient, green technologies to support this. Particularly promising are aqueous based methods, as water is a cheap, safe and abundant solvent. Water Extraction of Bioactive Compounds: From Plants to Drug Development is a detailed guide to the fundamental concepts and considerations needed to successfully undertake such processes, supported by application examples and highlighting the most influential variables. Beginning with an introduction to plants as sources of drugs, the book highlights the need for a move towards both more rational and greener techniques in the field, and presents multiple innovative water-based strategies for the discovery and extraction of bioactive constituents of botanicals. A broad range of available techniques are reviewed, including conventional and pressurized hot water extraction techniques, intensified processes such as microwave-assisted, ultrasound-assisted processes, and enzyme assisted extraction, and processes using combined techniques.

In this first book to gather the information on this hot topic otherwise widely spread throughout the literature, experienced editors and top international authors cover everything the reader needs--from the synthesis of chiral organosulfur compounds to applications and catalysis:

• Asymmetric synthesis of chiral sulfinates and sulfoxides
• Synthesis and use of chiral dithioacetal derivatives, ylids, chiral sulfoximines and sulfinamides
• Use of chiral sulfoxides as ligands in catalysis
• Asymmetric reactions of alpha-sulfenyl, alpha-sulfinyl and alpha-sulfonyl carbanions.As a result, readers will be able to improve their own performance in asymmetric synthesis.

Understanding the mechanisms of crystallization processes on the molecular level is an essential step in the control of the formation of crystals. These crystals may be a desirable solid product or an undesirable precipitate. Crystallization Processes

• covers the theory, research, applications and control of crystallization processes from a homogeneous liquid to a solid phase.
• considers the behaviour of ions and molecules in homogeneous supersaturated solutions and also in liquid metals and ionic melts.
• discusses recent work on ionic solvation desolvation phenomena, association of ions and molecules in solution and precipitation and dissolution of crystals.
• includes the mechanism of crystallization of calcium carbonate and other simple inorganic electrolytes, amino acids, lipids and proteins.

This well-established textbook on biocatalysis provides a basis for undergraduate and graduate courses in modern organic chemistry, as well as a condensed introduction into this field. After a basic introduction into the use of biocatalysts-principles of stereoselective transformations, enzyme properties and kinetics-the different types of reactions are explained according to the 'reaction principle', such as hydrolysis, reduction, oxidation, C-C bond formation, etc. Special techniques, such as the use of enzymes in organic solvents, immobilization techniques, artificial enzymes and the design of cascade-reactions are treated in a separate section. A final chapter deals with the basic rules for the safe and practical handling of biocatalysts. The use of biocatalysts, employed either as isolated enzymes or whole microbial cells, offers a remarkable arsenal of highly selective transformations for state-of-the-art synthetic organic chemistry. Over the last two decades, this methodology has become an indispensable tool for asymmetric synthesis, not only at the academic level, but also on an industrial scale. In this 7th edition new topics have been introduced which include alcohol and amine oxidases, amine dehydrogenases, imine reductases, haloalkane dehalogenases, ATP-independent phosphorylation, Michael-additions and cascade reactions. This new edition also emphasizes the use of enzymes in industrial biotransformations with practical examples.

Novel asymmetric synthetic methods are a vital strategem in the armoury of the organic chemist, particularly for those involved in the preparation or application of chiral organic molecules. this series is devoted to presenting the latest advances in the field of asymmetric synthesis, drawing contributions on emerging areas and articles providing authoritative perspectives on more developed synthetic stategies from leading researchers in the field. This volume consists of six contributions on a variety of topical areas, ranging from the preparation and application of chiral cylopentadienes, the synthesis of non-racemic amines, diketones and -keto esters and ferrocenes, to the use of biocatalysis and application of microbial methods for the synthesis of chiral molecules and fine chemicals.

Volume 11 of this series presents five timely reviews on current research on alkaloids. Chapter 1 by Paul L. Schiff, Jr. is a monumental survey of research that has been carried out over the past decade on the "Thalictrum" alkaloids. Forty-six new alkaloids are described from fifteen species of the genus "Thalictrum," as well as 116 alkaloids of known structure from thirty-six species and subspecies of the genus. The chapter includes discussions of isolation and structure elucidation, analysis, biosynthesis, cell culture, and pharmacology. Also featured are inclusive compilations of botanical sources, alkaloids by alkaloid types, and calculated molecular weights of the "Thalictrum" alkaloids.

Chapter 2 by Giovanni Appendino provides a fascinating treatment of Taxine, a collective name referring to a mixture of diterpenoid alkaloids from the yew tree (genus: "Taxus"). Taxine is responsible for the toxic properties of the yew tree that has been documented in historical and fictional literature, from Julius Caesar to Shakespeare, and from Agatha Christie to T.S. Eliot. The chapter treats the history, isolation techniques, structure elucidation, chemistry, and pharmacology of Taxine.

Chapter 3 by Mary D. Menachery surveys the alkaloids of South American Menispermaceae (moonseed family). Many different structural types are included in this family. The alkaloid-bearing plants are woody-vines, shrubs, or small trees. Several of these species possess potent curare activity. The chemistry as well as pharmacology of these alkaloids is summarized.

Chapter 4 by Russell J. Molyneux, Robert J. Nash, and Naoki Asano treats the chemistry and biological activity of the calystegines and related "nor"tropane alkaloids. These polyhydroxylated bicyclic alkaloids represent another class of compounds that inhibit glycosidases, producing profound effects in biological systems by disrupting the essential cellular function of glycoprotein processing.

Chapter 5, a related chapter by Robert J. Nash, Naoki Asano, and Alison A. Watson, reviews polyhydroxylated alkaloids that inhibit glycosidases. Topics covered include distribution, ecological significance and toxicity, isolation, synthesis, and biosynthesis.

In this book, the author provides expert analysis on naturally occurring iridoids, their chemistry and their distribution in plants and insects. Particular attention is given to the pharmacology of iridoids and their prospective applications in pharmaceutical and agricultural industries. Iridoids are found in a wide variety of plants and some insects, and they are structurally derived from monoterpenoid natural products. In the first two chapters of this book, the author describes the iridoids classification, occurrence and distribution in plants and insects. The following chapters cover different chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques that can be used to identify and quantify iridoids in herbal formulations, and also the biosynthesis of iridoids, in which the reader will discover a metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis to identify the genes involved in the biosynthesis. The final chapters provide insights on several pharmacological activities of iridoids, their physiological role in insects, pharmacokinetics in mammals, insects and microorganisms, and their applications in medicine and agriculture. This book will engage students and researchers interested in the chemistry of natural products, and it will also appeal to medicinal chemists and practitioners working in the design of new herbal drugs with bioactive pure iridoids.

The series Advances in Polymer Science presents critical reviews of the present and future trends in polymer and biopolymer science. It covers all areas of research in polymer and biopolymer science including chemistry, physical chemistry, physics, material science.The thematic volumes are addressed to scientists, whether at universities or in industry, who wish to keep abreast of the important advances in the covered topics.Advances in Polymer Science enjoys a longstanding tradition and good reputation in its community. Each volume is dedicated to a current topic, and each review critically surveys one aspect of that topic, to place it within the context of the volume. The volumes typically summarize the significant developments of the last 5 to 10 years and discuss them critically, presenting selected examples, explaining and illustrating the important principles, and bringing together many important references of primary literature. On that basis, future research directions in the area can be discussed. Advances in Polymer Science volumes thus are important references for every polymer scientist, as well as for other scientists interested in polymer science - as an introduction to a neighboring field, or as a compilation of detailed information for the specialist.Review articles for the individual volumes are invited by the volume editors. Single contributions can be specially commissioned.Readership: Polymer scientists, or scientists in related fields interested in polymer and biopolymer science, at universities or in industry, graduate students

The study of Silicone Germanium strained layers has broad implications for material scientists and engineers, in particular those working on the design and modelling of semi-conductor devices.
Since the publication of the original volume in 1994, there has been a steady flow of new ideas, new understanding, new Silicon-Germanium (SiGe) structures and new devices with enhanced performance. Written for both students and senior researchers, the 2nd edition of Silicon-Germanium Strained Layers and Heterostructures provides an essential up-date of this important topic, describing in particular the recent developments in technology and modelling.
* Fully-revised and updated 2nd edition incorporating important recent breakthroughs and a complete literature review
* The extensive bibliography of over 400 papers provides a comprehensive and coherent overview of the subject
* Appropriate for students and senior researchers

This volume covers experimental and theoretical advances on the relationship between composition, structure and macroscopic mechanical properties of novel hydrogels containing dynamic bonds. The chapters of this volume focus on the control of the mechanical properties of several recently discovered gels with the design of monomer composition, chain architecture, type of crosslinking or internal structure. The gels discussed in the different chapters have in common the capability to dissipate energy upon deformation, a desired property for mechanical toughness, while retaining the ability to recover the properties of the virgin material over time or to self-heal when put back in contact after fracture. Some chapters focus on the synthesis and structural aspects while others focus on properties or modelling at the continuum or mesoscopic scale. The volume will be of interest to chemists and material scientists by providing guidelines and general structure-property considerations to synthesize and develop innovative gels tuned for applications. In addition it will provide physicists with a better understanding of the role of weak interactions between molecules and physical crosslinking on macroscopic dissipative properties and self-healing or self-recovering properties.

Wheat Quality for Improving Processing and Human Health brings together an international group of leading wheat scientists to outline highly relevant and diverse aspects and the latest advances in understanding of the world's most consumed cereal. Topics covered include LMW glutenins, starch-related proteins, and the impact of processing on composition and consumer health. Individual chapters focus on important factors such as FODMAPs, protein structure, dough viscoelasticity and fumonisins. The environmental effects on allergen content are comprehensively covered, as are phenolic compounds and molecular markers. The major quality screening tools and genetic resources are reviewed in depth. Gluten is a major focus of this work with chapters dedicated to health effects, analytical methods and standards, proteomics and mutant proteins. Starting in 2015, wheat quality scientists from across the globe have united to develop the Expert Working Group for Improving Wheat Quality for Processing and Health under the umbrella of the Wheat Initiative. This joint effort provides a framework to establish strategic research and organisation priorities for wheat research at the international level in both developed and developing countries. This Expert Working Group aims to maintain and improve wheat quality for processing and health under varying environmental conditions. The Group focuses on a broad range of wheat quality issues including seed proteins, carbohydrates, nutrition quality and micronutrient content, grain processing and food safety. Bioactive compounds are also considered, both those with negative effects such as allergens and mycotoxins, and those with positive effects such as antioxidants and fibre. The Group also works in the development of germplasm sets and other tools that promote wheat quality research. Wheat quality specialists working on the wheat value chain, and nutritionists will find this book a useful resource to increase and update their knowledge of wheat quality, nutrition and health issues.

Considering the challenge of sustainability facing our society in the coming decades, catalysis is without any doubt a research area of major importance. In this regard, asymmetric organocatalysis, now considered a pillar of green chemistry, deserves particular attention. The first chapter of this volume examines the topic of asymmetric organocatalysis in light of radical chemistry. Recent important progress in this field has been attained by promoting the formation and harnessing the high reactivity of open-shell intermediates. Merging organocatalysis with radical chemistry has been the key to solving some longstanding bottlenecks, and has also significantly contributed to reinforcing the key role of organocatalysis in asymmetric catalysis. This chapter presents the most significant developments in this area, with a particular focus on asymmetric SOMO- and photoredox-organocatalyzed transformations. Chapter 2 focuses on quaternary ammonium salts (R4N+X-), especially chiral derivatives, and their behavior as unique catalysts in organocatalysis. Forming chiral ion-pairs capable of promoting asymmetric reactions, they also operate as unique "transporters" involved in phase transfer catalytic processes between liquid-liquid or liquid-solid systems. Furthermore, they offer unique opportunities when forming cooperative ion-paired entities R4N+X-, allowing a synergistic implication of the counter-ion X- either as Bronsted bases or Lewis bases. Specific design of such chiral catalysts in modern chemistry and better insight into their mode of activation facilitates efficient and unprecedented chemical transformations. This chapter provides an overview of the use of chiral quaternary ammonium salts in organocatalysis, emphasizing both general mechanistic aspects and the scope of this approach.

This book provides an overview of polyolefine production, including several recent breakthrough innovations in the fields of catalysis, process technology, and materials design. The industrial development of polymers is an extraordinary example of multidisciplinary cooperation, involving experts from different fields. An understanding of structure-property and processing relationships leads to the design of materials with innovative performance profiles. A comprehensive description of the connection between innovative material performance and multimodal polymer design, which incorporates both flexibility and constraints of multimodal processes and catalyst needs, is provided. This book provides a summary of the polymerization process, from the atomistic level to the macroscale, process components, including catalysts, and their influence on final polymer performance. This reference merges academic research and industrial knowledge to fill the gaps between academic research and industrial processes. * Connects innovative material performance to the flexibility of multimodal polymer design processes; * Provides a comprehensive description of the polymerization process from the atomic level to the macroscale; * Presents a polyhedric view of multimodal polymer production, including structure, property, and processing relationships, and the development of new materials.

This is the fourth volume in the series, aimed at those wishing to stay abreast of developments in the mechanisms and synthetic applications of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions.

A comprehensive, up-to-date reference to synthetic applications of organosilicon chemistry Organic, organometallic, and polymer chemistry as well as materials science all utilize silicon in various forms, yet there is little cross-fertilization of ideas and applications among the disciplines. This book presents a much-needed overview of silicon chemistry, allowing fundamental and applied scientists to take full advantage of progress made within and outside their primary fields of expertise. With an emphasis on the preparation and reactivity of silicon compounds in organic, organometallic, and polymer chemistry, the author examines a broad range of useful topics—from mechanisms to syntheses of and syntheses using different organofunctional silanes. Numerous schemes as well as up-to-date examples from academia and industry will help readers to solve current synthetic problems and explore ideas for future research. Clear, concise coverage includes:

• The mechanistic basis for the development of new silicon-based reactions
• Formation and cleavage of silane reagents and functional siliconheteroatom compounds
• Silicones, silica, polysilanes, and other silicon-containing polymers
• Properties of molecules containing silicon, including bioactivity
• Methods for the preparation of Si-C compounds
• Silicon in organic synthesis
• An extensive functional group index for easy access to functional group transformations

This thesis focuses on NHC-catalyzed annulation of nitroalkenes, enals and , -unsaturated carboxylic acids. (1) NHCs were found to be efficient catalysts for the [4+2] annulation of -substituted nitroalkenes. The scope of Rauhut-Currier reaction was successfully extended to the most challenging -substituted alkenes by this method; (2) Enals were successfully used for [4+2] annulations with azodicarboxylates catalyzed by NHC via -addition. Highly enantiopure tetrahydropyridazinones and -amino acid derivatives could be easily prepared by subsequent transformations of the resulting dihydropyridazinones. (4) The readily available , -unsaturated carboxylic acids were first successfully employed to generate the , -unsaturated acyl azolium intermediates by using NHC for the enantioselective [3+2] and [3+3] annulations.