Springer Basic Organic Chemistry for the Life Sciences

This textbook is designed for students of biology, molecular biology, ecology,medicine, agriculture, forestry and other professions where the knowledge of organic chemistry plays an important role. The work may also be of interest to non-professionals, as well as to teachers in high schools. The book consists of 13 chapters that cover the essentials of organic chemistry, including - basic principles of structure and constitution of organic compounds, - the elements of the nomenclature, - the concepts of the nature of chemical bond, - introductions in NMR and IR spectroscopy, - the concepts and main classes of the organic reaction mechanisms, - reactions and properties of common classes or organic compounds, - and the introduction to the chemistry of the natural organic products followed by basic principles of the reactions in living cells. This second edition includes revisions and suggestions made by the readers of the first edition and the author's colleagues. In addition, it includes substantial changes compared to the first edition. The chapter on Cycloaddition has been completed by including the other pericyclic reactions (sigmatropic rearrangements, electrocyclic reactions). The chapter on Organic Natural Products has been extended to include new section covering the principles of organic synthesis. New chapter "Organic Supramolecular and Supermolecular Structures" is added. This chapter covers the basic knowledge about the molecular recognition, supramolecular structures, and the mechanisms of the enzyme catalyzed reactions.   From the Back Cover This textbook is designed for students of biology, molecular biology, ecology,medicine, agriculture, forestry and other professions where the knowledge of organic chemistry plays an important role. The work may also be of interest to non-professionals, as well as to teachers in high schools. The book consists of 13 chapters that cover the essentials of organic chemistry, including - basic principles of structure and constitution of organic compounds, - the elements of the nomenclature, - the concepts of the nature of chemical bond, - introductions in NMR and IR spectroscopy, - the concepts and main classes of the organic reaction mechanisms, - reactions and properties of common classes or organic compounds, - and the introduction to the chemistry of the natural organic products followed by basic principles of the reactions in living cells. This second edition includes revisions and suggestions made by the readers of the first edition and the author's colleagues. In addition, it includes substantial changes compared to the first edition. The chapter on Cycloaddition has been completed by including the other pericyclic reactions (sigmatropic rearrangements, electrocyclic reactions). The chapter on Organic Natural Products has been extended to include new section covering the principles of organic synthesis. New chapter "Organic Supramolecular and Supermolecular Structures" is added. This chapter covers the basic knowledge about the molecular recognition, supramolecular structures, and the mechanisms of the enzyme catalyzed reactions. About the Author Hrvoj B. J. Vančik (Varaždin, Croatia, 1952) is professor of chemistry at the Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Croatia. His scientific activity comprises the study of organic reaction mechanisms, especially thermally induced reactions in solid-state. Most of his work belongs to the field of vibrational structures of carbocations and solid-state reactions of nitroso and polynitroso compounds. His work in philosophy of science is focused on the theory of complexity in chemistry.