This textbook describes the types of natural products, the biosynthetic pathways that enable the production of these molecules, and an update on the discovery of novel products in the post-genomic era.

Introduction what is organic chemistry all about?; Structural organic chemistry the shapes of molecules functional groups; Organic nomenclature; Alkanes; Stereoisomerism of organic molecules; Bonding in organic molecules atomic-orbital models; More on nomenclature compounds other than hydrocarbons; Nucleophilic substitution and elimination reactions; Separation and purification identification of organic compounds by spectroscopic techniques; Alkenes and alkynes. Ionic and radical addition reactions; Alkenes and alkynes; Oxidation and reduction reactions; Acidity or alkynes.

This guide covers classes of natural products in medicine, whether derived from plants, micro-organisms or animals. Structured according to biosynthetic pathway, it is written from a chemistry-based approach.

With over 1000 original drawings and 500 photographs, this work offers complete coverage of cell biology, plant physiology and molecular biology.

"Starting with photosynthesis, the authors present a very lucid and logical approach from CO[subscript 2] and H[subscript 2]O to complicated structures of alkaloids, terpenes and many other natural products based on the basic principles of Organic reaction mechanism which though taken from other research studies, have been shown to be followed in nature. In addition to the basic formulations of Acetate hypothesis, and Mevlonic pathways, newer non-mevalonic paths have also been discussed and differences pointed out. This book discusses natural products in which basic principles are involved e.g. in alkaloids biosynthesis and basic amino acids which show their pathway in biosynthesis." "The material has been arranged in a sequence as to how a teacher of biosynthesis should/would teach this subject."--BOOK JACKET.

For the chemist,the biochemist and the biologist.

Natural Products have been important sources of useful drugs from prehistoric times to the present. This book gives an overview about this field and provides important recent contributions to the discovery of new drugs generated by research on natural products. Total synthesis of natural products with interesting biological activities is paving the way for the preparation of new and improved analogs. The methods of combinatorial chemistry permit the selection of the best drug from a large number of candidates. Beyond synthesis and evaluation of organic molecules a number of new bioorganic methods are coming to the fore and will be discucced in this isue of the ERnst schering Research Foundation workshop proceedings.