The importance of molecular recognition in chemistry and biology is reflected in a recent upsurge in relevant research, promoted in particular by high-profile initiatives in this area in Europe, the USA and Japan. Although molecular recognition is necessarily microscopic in origin, its consequences are de facto macroscopic. Accordingly, a text that starts with intermolecular interactions between simple molecules and builds to a discussion of molecular recognition involving larger scale systems is timely. This book was planned with such a development in mind. The book begins with an elementary but rigorous account of the various types of forces between molecules. Chapter 2 is concerned with the hydrogen bond between pairs of simple molecules in the gas phase, with particular reference to the preferred relative orientation of the pair and the ease with which this can be distorted. This microscopic view continues in chapter 3 wherein the nature of interactions between solute molecules and solvents or between two or more solutes is examined from the experimental standpoint, with various types of spectroscopy providing the probe of the nature of the interactions. Molecular recognition is central to the catalysis of chemical reactions, especially when bonds are to be broken and formed under the severe con straint that a specific configuration is to result, as in the production of enan tiotopically pure compounds. This important topic is considered in chapter 4.

The chemist has a vast range of high-tech catalysts to use when working in fine chemical synthesis but the catalysts are generally hard to use and require both time, skill and experience to handle properly. The "Catalysts for Fine Chemical Synthesis" series contains tested and validated procedures which provide a unique range resources for chemists who work in organic chemistry.

..". of great value to synthetic organic chemists..." (The Chemists, Summer 2003)

Volume 3 in the series focuses on catalysts for carbon-carbon bond formation and presents practical and detailed protocols on how to use sophisticated catalysts by the "inventors" and "developers" who created them. The combination of protocols and review commentaries helps the reader to easily and quickly understand and use the new high-tech catalysts.

The importance of molecular recognition in chemistry and biology is reflected in a recent upsurge in relevant research, promoted in particular by high-profile initiatives in this area in Europe, the USA and Japan. Although molecular recognition is necessarily microscopic in origin, its consequences are de facto macroscopic. Accordingly, a text that starts with intermolecular interactions between simple molecules and builds to a discussion of molecular recognition involving larger scale systems is timely. This book was planned with such a development in mind. The book begins with an elementary but rigorous account of the various types of forces between molecules. Chapter 2 is concerned with the hydrogen bond between pairs of simple molecules in the gas phase, with particular reference to the preferred relative orientation of the pair and the ease with which this can be distorted. This microscopic view continues in chapter 3 wherein the nature of interactions between solute molecules and solvents or between two or more solutes is examined from the experimental standpoint, with various types of spectroscopy providing the probe of the nature of the interactions. Molecular recognition is central to the catalysis of chemical reactions, especially when bonds are to be broken and formed under the severe con straint that a specific configuration is to result, as in the production of enan tiotopically pure compounds. This important topic is considered in chapter 4.

Catalysts are increasingly used by chemists engaged in fine chemical synthesis within both industry and academia. Today, there exists a huge choice of high-tech catalysts, which add enormously to the repertoire of synthetic possibilities. However, catalysts are occasionally capricious, sometimes difficult to use and almost always require both skill and experience in order to achieve optimal results. This series aims to be a practical help for advanced undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students, as well as experienced chemists in industry and academia working in organic and organometallic synthesis.

The series features:

• Tested and validated procedures.

• Authoritative reviews on classes of catalysts.

• Assessments of all types of catalysts.

• Expertise from the Leverhulme Centre for Innovative Catalysis, Liverpool, UK.

The procedure section contains a wide variety of synthetic protocols, such as epoxidations of unsaturated ketones and esters, asymmetric reductions of carbon-oxygen double bonds, asymmetric hydrogenations of carbon-carbon double bonds and other types of reaction. The featured catalysts include a wide range of different materials such as poly-D-leucine, D-fructose-based dioxiranes, oxaborolidine borane, some important titanium and ruthenium complexes as well as baker's yeast. For each reaction there are one or several detailed protocols on how to prepare and employ the various catalysts.

This is an introductory text intended to give the newcomer to this area a comprehensive insight into the science of biotransformations. The book traces the history of biotransformations, clearly spells out the pros and cons of conducting enzyme-mediated versus whole-cell bioconversions, and gives a variety of examples wherein the bio-reaction is a key element in a reaction sequence leading from cheap starting materials to valuable end-products (such as pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, fragrances and flavors). The authors cover biotransformations involving the hydrolysis of esters, amides and nitriles, the synthesis of esters and amides, reduction and oxidation reactions and carbon-carbon bond-forming systems. The book finishes with a discussion of some industrially important large-scale bioconversions. The text will be suitable for advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and professionals in the areas of biochemistry, organic chemistry, biotechnology, microbiology, and industrial chemistry.

This is an introductory text intended to give the newcomer to this area a comprehensive insight into the science of biotransformations. The book traces the history of biotransformations, clearly spells out the pros and cons of conducting enzyme-mediated versus whole-cell bioconversions, and gives a variety of examples wherein the bio-reaction is a key element in a reaction sequence leading from cheap starting materials to valuable end-products (such as pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, fragrances and flavors). The authors cover biotransformations involving the hydrolysis of esters, amides and nitriles, the synthesis of esters and amides, reduction and oxidation reactions and carbon-carbon bond-forming systems. The book finishes with a discussion of some industrially important large-scale bioconversions. The text will be suitable for advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and professionals in the areas of biochemistry, organic chemistry, biotechnology, microbiology, and industrial chemistry.

Catalysts for Fine Chemical Synthesis

Series Editors: Eric Derouane (Universidade do Algarve, Faro, and Instituto Superior Tecnico, Lisbon, Portugal)

Ivan V. Kozhevnikov (University of Liverpool, UK)

Stanley M Roberts (University of Manchester, UK)

Catalysts are increasingly used by chemists engaged in fine chemical synthesis within both industry and academia. Today, there is a huge choice of high-tech catalysts that adds enormously to the repertoire of synthetic possibilities. However, catalysts are occasionally capricious, sometimes difficult to use and almost always require both skill and experience in order to achieve optimal results. This series offers practical help for advanced undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students, as well as experienced chemists in industry and academia working with catalysts in organic and organometallic synthesis. It features tested and validated procedures, authoritative reviews on classes of catalysts, and assessments of all types of catalysts.

Catalysts for Fine Chemical Synthesis, Volume 5: Regio- and Stereo-Controlled Oxidations and Reductions

Editors: Stanley M. Roberts and John Whittall, (University of Manchester, UK)

Volume 5 in the series "Catalysts for Fine Chemical Synthesis" describes new procedures for the regio- and stereo-controlled transformations of compounds involving oxidation or reduction reactions. A wide range of catalysts are described, including organometallic systems, biocatalysts and biomimetics. Conversions that are discussed include: asymmetric hydrogenation of alkenes, enones, ene-esters and ene-acids asymmetric reduction of ketones imine reduction and reductive amination oxidation ofprimary and secondary alcohols hydroxylation, epoxidation and related reactions oxidation of ketones to lactones or enones oxidative C-C coupling oxidation of sulfides and sulfoxides

"Regio- and Stereo-Controlled Oxidations and Reductions" is a "how-to" practical guide with protocols detailed by the authors who have discovered the new transformations. The source of starting materials and reagents, hints, tips and safety advice (where appropriate) are given to ensure, as far as possible, that the procedures are reproducible. Comparisons to alternative methodology are given and relevant references to the primary literature are cited. In order to put the different procedures into proper context, the editors provide a short overview of recent developments in the field of oxidations and reductions.

This book is an important text for practising synthetic organic chemists in industry and academia.