Description
Efnisyfirlit
- Cover
- Half Title
- Title
- Copyright
- Table of Contents
- Preface
- Author Biography
- Part I Introduction
- Organic Chemistry
- Context: Miraculous Chemicals from Plants
- References
- Nomenclature
- Botanical names
- Scope of chemistry
- Part II Medical Marvels
- Introduction
- Central America’s Humble Potato!
- Steroids
- The Search for the Modern Birth Control Pill
- Isolation of Natural Diosgenin from the Mexican Potato
- Chemical Magic in the Laboratory—Synthesis of Norethindrone
- Biological Studies of Progesterone to Prevent Ovulation
- Medical Approval and Social Acceptance
- The Profound Social, Cultural and Economic Impacts of Reliable Oral Contraception
- Transformation of Production
- Hydrocarbons
- Saturated Hydrocarbons—Alkanes and Cycloalkanes
- Crude Oil and Industrial Fractional Distillation
- Benzene and Aromatic Compounds—Physical and Chemical Properties
- Theory of the Molecular Structure of Benzene
- Suggested Further Reading
- Reference
- Europe Solves a Headache! Emergence of Aspirin
- Salicin and Salicyclic Acid
- Carboxylic Acids
- Phenol and Phenolic Compounds
- Acetylation of the Hydroxyl Group of Salicylic Acid to Form Aspirin
- Suggested Further Reading
- Reference
- Attacking Malaria: a South American Treasure and a Chinese Miracle
- Malaria
- Cinchona
- Isolation of Quinine
- Synthesis of Quinine in the Laboratory
- Uses of Quinine
- Artemisinin
- Carbon–Oxygen Single Bonds and Oxygen–Oxygen Single Bonds in Organic Compounds
- The Peroxide Link and the Peroxide Bridge in Artemisinin
- Suggested Further Reading
- References
- A Steroid in Your Garden
- The Foxglove and Digoxigenin
- Esters are Formed from Alcohols and Acids
- Properties and Uses of Esters
- Introducing Cyclic Esters Known as Lactones
- Lactones as Building Blocks in Nature
- Vitamins
- Vitamin C, Ascorbic Acid
- Commercial Uses of Lactones
- Suggested Further Reading
- Reference
- Africa’s Gift to the World
- Discovery of the Periwinkle Plant and Its Properties
- Serendipity
- Modern Research and Therapeutic Value
- The Alkaloids, Vincristine and Vinblastine
- Isolation of Vincristine and Vinblastine from Plants
- Suggested Further Reading
- Saving the Pacific Yew Tree
- The Nature of Paclitaxel
- Medical Value of Paclitaxel
- Modern-Day Preparation of Paclitaxel
- Terpenes and Isoprene as Building Blocks in Nature
- Isomers
- Isomers and Stereo-Chemistry
- Isomers and Chirality
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy and Molecular Structure
- References
- Vaccines, Adjuvants and Organic Chemistry
- How the Chemistry of Natural Products Enhances Vaccines
- Vaccines
- Adjuvants
- The Development of Adjuvants
- A Vaccine Against Covid-19
- Saponins
- Natural Sources of Saponin
- New Biochemical Approaches
- Molecular Biochemistry
- Summary
- References
- Part III Nutrition—Ancient and Modern Miracles
- Introduction
- Rediscovering Traditional Grains of the Americas—Chia and Quinoa
- Chia
- Quinoa
- Gluten Sensitivity
- Lipids
- Fats, Oils and Human Health
- Waxes
- Vegetable Oil and Biodiesel
- Suggested Further Reading
- Wheat—Ancient and Modern
- Possible Origins of Ancient Wheat
- Modern Wheat Varieties
- Nutritional Importance and the Grinding of Wheat
- Importance of Proteins
- Peptide Bond
- The Condensation Reaction
- Proteins and Amino Acids
- Amino Acids, Proteins and DNA
- Fascinating Influence of Chirality on Life Systems on Earth
- The Shikimic Acid Pathway in Phyto-Chemistry—a Route to Aromatic Amino Acids
- Sustainability and Society’s Challenges in Enhancing Agricultural Production
- Suggested Further Reading
- References
- Asian Staple—Rice
- Carbohydrates and Saccharides; Oxygen in the Organic Ring
- Monosaccharides
- Disaccharides
- The Glycoside Link
- Oligosaccharides
- Polysaccharides
- Chemical Properties of Carbohydrates—Monosaccharides
- The Value of Monosaccharides, Disaccharides and Polysaccharides to Living Organisms
- Human Nutrition
- Optical Isomerism
- Optical Isomerism and the Pharmaceutical Industry
- Suggested Further Reading
- Chinese Cordyceps—Winter Worm, Summer Grass
- The Life Cycle of Cordyceps Sinensis
- The Perceived Health Benefits of Cordyceps Sinensis
- What Is Fermentation?
- Industrial Production of Bio-Ethanol
- Suggested Further Reading
- Part IV Beverages
- Introduction
- Tea: from Legend to Healthy Obsession!
- The Tea Plant
- Historical Notes on Tea as a Beverage
- The Growing and Processing of Tea
- Tea and Possible Health Benefits
- The Properties of Phenol and Phenols
- Catechins—Key Phenolic Compounds in Green Tea
- Selected further reading
- Cocoa (Cacao)—Food of the Gods
- Origins
- Processing Cacao Beans
- Cocoa and Cardiac Health
- Cocoa and Diabetes
- Chemical Constituents of Cocoa
- Suggested Further Reading
- Coffee—Wake Up and Smell the Aroma!
- Early Use
- Coffee and Caffeine
- Zwitterions
- Cyclic Aromatic Amines
- The Process of Decaffeination of Coffee
- Suggested Further Reading
- Maca from the High Andes in South America
- The Maca Plant
- Maca as a Beverage and a Food
- The Medicinal Value of Maca
- Chemical Composition of Maca
- Indole
- Key Chemical Properties of Indole
- Acid-Base Extraction
- Purification of Indole Alkaloids by Acid-Base Extraction
- Indole Alkaloids
- Suggested Further Reading
- Reference
- Part V Euphorics
- Introduction
- Suggested Further Reading
- Morphine: A Double-Edged Sword
- The Double-Edged Sword
- The Production of Morphine in the Natural World
- Purification, Chemical Composition and Properties of Morphine
- Chemical Composition and Properties of Codeine
- Chemical Composition and Properties of Heroin
- Medicinal Uses of Morphine
- Summary
- Suggested Further Reading
- Cannabis and Marijuana
- Cannabis
- Introducing Cannabinoids
- Terpenes
- Classification of Terpenes
- Terpenes and Elimination Reactions
- The Condensation Reaction
- Suggested Further Reading
- Coca and Cocaine
- Coca and the Coca Plant
- Cocaine
- Chemical Properties of Cocaine
- Isolation of Cocaine
- Legitimate Applications of Cocaine
- Suggested Further Reading
- Tobacco: A Profound Impact on the World
- Tobacco
- Nicotine
- Amines
- Heterocyclic Aromatic Compounds
- Properties of Nicotine
- Uses of Nicotine
- Suggested Further Reading
- Reference
- Part VI Exotic Potions, Lotions and Oils
- Introduction
- Suggested Further Reading
- A Plant from the East Indies, Camphor
- The Classification and Structure of Camphor
- Diverse Uses of Camphor
- Extraction of Camphor by Steam Distillation
- The Carbonyl Group and Nucleophilic Addition Reactions
- Infra-Red Spectroscopy and the Determination of the Structure of Organic Molecules
- Atmospheric Absorption of Infra-Red Radiation; Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming
- Carbon Dioxide and Global Warming
- Suggested Further Reading
- Biblical Resins: Frankincense and Myrrh
- Sources and Uses of Frankincense and Myrrh
- Frankincense
- Myrrh
- Classification of Cyclic Terpenes
- Steric Hindrance
- Suggested Further Reading
- References
- European Lavender
- European Lavender
- Distribution
- Value of Lavender
- Essential Oils—Hydrosol from Lavender
- Hydrosols and Colloids
- Vegetable Oils and Fats
- Hydrolysis of Esters
- Soap
- How Soap Works
- Suggested Further Reading
- Global Aloe
- Aloe Vera
- Aloe Vera and Skin Treatment
- Aloe Vera and Polysaccharides
- Galactomannans
- Hydraulic ‘Fracking’
- Anthraquinones Found in Aloe Vera
- Chromatography
- Thin Layer and Column Chromatography
- Gas Chromatography and Gas-Liquid Chromatography
- High Pressure Liquid Chromatography
- Ion Exchange Chromatography
- Suggested Further Reading
- Reference
- Part VII Colorful Chemistry, a Natural Palette of Plant Dyes and Pigments
- Introduction
- Selected Reading
- Our World of Green Plants—Human Survival
- Green Plants
- The Vital Process of Photosynthesis
- Chlorophyll
- Chlorophyll and Color
- Chromophores
- Molecular Interaction with Electromagnetic Radiation
- Ultraviolet Absorption Spectroscopy and Organic Chemistry
- Ultraviolet Absorption Spectroscopy and Molecular Structure
- Green Plants, Sustainability and Limiting Climate Change
- Suggested Further Reading
- References
- Saffron and Carotenoids—Yellow and Orange Dyes
- Saffron—the Plant
- Crocin
- Carotenoids and Autumnal Color
- Carotene Carotenoids
- Xanthophyll Carotenoids
- The Allyl Functional Group
- Human Health; Vitamin A, Retinol and Retinal
- Suggested Further Reading
- Reference
- Woad (Isatis Tinctoria) and Indigo
- Indigo through the Ages
- Indigo from Plants
- Extraction of Indigo
- Indigo and Dyeing Textiles
- Azo Dyes
- Suggested Further Reading
- Reference
- Red Dyes from Henna, Dyer’s Bugloss and Madder
- Quinones as Building Blocks in Nature
- Naphthoquinones
- Anthraquinones
- Textile Dyes—Color Fastness and Mordants
- Suggested Further Reading
- References
- Reversible Colors in Flowers, Berries and Fruit
- The Inestimable Value of Color in Flowers, Berries and Fruit
- The Beautiful Color of Autumn Leaves
- Flavonoids
- Flavonoids and Anthocyanins
- Anthocyanins—Reversible Dyes
- Reversible Dyes and Acid/Base Indicators
- Phytochrome—a Reversible Pigment and a Biological Light Switch
- Phytochrome in Photoperiodism and in Phototropism
- Suggested Further Reading
- References
- Part VIII Plant Materials
- Introduction
- The Wonderful World of Wood
- What Is Wood?
- Carbohydrates That Are Non-Sugars
- The Value of Cellulose
- The Value of Starch
- Lignin—the Structural Partner of Cellulose
- Distribution of Trees across the World
- Conservation and Environmental Significance
- References
- Secrets of a Sticky Secretion
- Latex
- Natural Rubber
- Historical Intrigue
- Summary
- References
- Suggested Further Reading
- The Green Credentials of Bioplastic
- Polymerization and Plastics
- Bioplastics
- Recycling Terminology—Let’s Be Clear
- Bioplastics and the Environment
- Summary
- References
- Suggested Further Reading
- Part IX Plants and the Natural Environment
- Introduction
- Seaweed and ‘Blue’ Carbon
- Seaweed and Algae
- Important Natural Products Derived from Algae
- Value to Man
- Farming
- Mitigation of Climate Change
- ‘Blue’ Carbon Storage
- Soil Chemistry and Seaweed Fertilizer
- Summary
- References
- Suggestions for Further Reading
- Garlic and Pungent Smells
- Garlic
- Organo-Sulfur Compounds
- Amino Acids That Contain Sulfur
- Fossil Fuels and Acid Rain
- Scrubbing Gaseous Effluent Gases at Industrial Plants
- An Alternative Method of Reducing Sulfur Dioxide Emissions
- Suggested Further Reading
- Learning to Love Legumes
- Legumes
- Nitrogen Fixing
- Nitrogen Cycle
- Industrial Production of Nitrogen Fertilizer
- Alternative, Sustainable Routes for Synthesizing Nitrogen Fertilizer
- Summary
- References
- Glossary
- Organic Chemistry: Miracles from Plants
- Acknowledgments
- Index
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