Best of
Chemistry

2002

Oxygen: The Molecule That Made the World


Nick Lane - 2002
    He shows how oxygen underpins the origin of biological complexity, the birth of photosynthesis, the sudden evolution of animals, the need for two sexes, the accelerated aging of cloned animals like Dolly the sheep, and the surprisingly long lives of bats and birds. Drawing on this grand evolutionary canvas, Oxygen offers fresh perspectives on our own lives and deaths, explaining modern killer diseases, why we age, and what we can do about it. Advancing revelatory new ideas, following chains of evidence, the book ranges through many disciplines, from environmental sciences to molecular medicine. The result is a captivating vision of contemporary science and a humane synthesis of our place in nature. This remarkable book will redefine the way we think about the world.

The Art of Writing Reasonable Organic Reaction Mechanisms


Robert B. Grossman - 2002
    The discussion is organized by types of mechanisms and the conditions under which the reaction is executed, rather than by the overall reaction as is the case in most textbooks. The treatment emphasizes unifying principles, showing how common mechanisms link seemingly disparate reactions. Each chapter discusses common mechanistic pathways and suggests practical tips for drawing them. Worked problems are included in the discussion of each mechanism, and "common error alerts" are scattered throughout the text to warn readers about pitfalls and misconceptions that bedevil students. Each chapter is capped by a large problem set.The author has drawn on his own research and the current literature to ensure that appropriate attention is given to topics across the range of modern organic chemistry. The text is unique in its inclusion of a chapter on reactions mediated or catalyzed by transition metals, an area in which mechanistic understanding is now essential. Relatively new topics such as olefin metathesis and cycloaromatization are covered without giving short shrift to more traditional areas such as carbonyl chemistry. The text assumes a basic knowledge of organic chemistry. It can be used either in a formal course or by students working on their own, and will be particularly useful for graduate students studying for qualifying examinations. It will also be useful to students and researchers in biochemistry, pharmacology, and inorganic chemistry."This is an excellent and well-presented work.... The author ... has succeeded well in treating the central ideas of reactivity and selectivity in an integrated whole. The clear style of writing, the well chosen examples, and the ... concise summaries of the main points provided at the end of each chapter should enable the reader to easily consolidate what has been learned.... The book is indeed a little work of art."-- Jens Hartung, Angewandte Chemie International Edition"I have taught a one-credit course with this book for three years, and, uniformly, the students have rated this book highly for its clarity and for the scope of the problems. ... This book does an excellent job at its stated goal: 'to teach students to come up with reasonable mechanisms for reactions they have never seen before.'"-- Amy Howell, Synthesis"I have just finished my first year of graduate studies in organic chemistry at Duke University. I just wanted to let you know how much your book got me through the past year of course work.... When it came to mechanisms, I found the clarity and thoroughness I needed only in your book. It was impressive how you were able to present so much information in a clear and comprehensive manner yet keep the book so manageable in size. In addition to the text, I also was able to benefit from the problems.... Great practice!! The on-line answers are much better than looking up answers by reference.... I am reading it again this summer in preparation for my preliminary exam next spring."-- David Gooden

Animal Eyes


Michael F. Land - 2002
    Taking diversity of optical mechanisms as a framework, it also discusses aspects of structure and function of eyes, including visual ecology, design philosophy, properties of light critical to vision, factors in eye adaptation and capabilities of a wide variety of eye types.

Molecular Driving Forces: Statistical Thermodynamics in Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and Nanoscience


Ken A. Dill - 2002
    It shows how the complex behaviors of molecules can result from a few simple physical processes, and a central theme is how simple models can give surprisingly accurate insights into the workings of the molecular world.Written in a clear and reader-friendly style, the book gives an excellent introduction to the subject for novices. It should be useful to those who want to develop their understanding of this important field, seeing how physical principles can be applied to the study of modern problems in the chemical, biological, and materials sciences.

The Simple Plant Isoquinolines


Alexander Shulgin - 2002
    The information is easily searchable, with cross indexing of chemical structures, trivial names, plants names, and plant family names. The introduction gives information about isoquinolines, and how this book is put together. There are journal references, and an appendix explaining isobenzofuranone nomenclature.

Experimental Design and Data Analysis for Biologists


Gerry P. Quinn - 2002
    The text begins with a revision of estimation and hypothesis testing methods, before advancing to the analysis of linear and generalized linear models. The chapters include such topics as linear and logistic regression, simple and complex ANOVA models, log-linear models, and multivariate techniques. The main analyses are illustrated with many examples from published papers and an extensive reference list to both the statistical and biological literature is also included. The book is supported by a web-site that provides all data sets, questions for each chapter and links to software.

Ecological Stoichiometry: The Biology of Elements from Molecules to the Biosphere


Robert W. Sterner - 2002
    That fact underpins the developing field of ecological stoichiometry, the study of the balance of chemical elements in ecological interactions. This long-awaited book brings this field into its own as a unifying force in ecology and evolution. Synthesizing a wide range of knowledge, Robert Sterner and Jim Elser show how an understanding of the biochemical deployment of elements in organisms from microbes to metazoa provides the key to making sense of both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.After summarizing the chemistry of elements and their relative abundance in Earth's environment, the authors proceed along a line of increasing complexity and scale from molecules to cells, individuals, populations, communities, and ecosystems. The book examines fundamental chemical constraints on ecological phenomena such as competition, herbivory, symbiosis, energy flow in food webs, and organic matter sequestration. In accessible prose and with clear mathematical models, the authors show how ecological stoichiometry can illuminate diverse fields of study, from metabolism to global change.Set to be a classic in the field, Ecological Stoichiometry is an indispensable resource for researchers, instructors, and students of ecology, evolution, physiology, and biogeochemistry. From the foreword by Peter Vitousek: ? [T]his book represents a significant milestone in the history of ecology. . . . Love it or argue with it--and I do both--most ecologists will be influenced by the framework developed in this book. . . . There are points to question here, and many more to test . . . And if we are both lucky and good, this questioning and testing will advance our field beyond the level achieved in this book. I can't wait to get on with it.

Name Reactions: A Collection of Detailed Reaction Mechanisms


Jie Jack Li - 2002
    -Heidi Klum Can the organic chemists associated with so-called -Named Reactions- make the same claim as supermodel Heidi Klum? Many scholars of chemistry do not hesi- te to point out that the names associated with -name reactions- are often not the actual inventors. For instance, the Arndt-Eistert reaction has nothing to do with either Arndt or Eistert, Pummerer did not discover the -Pummerer- rearran- ment, and even the famous Birch reduction owes its initial discovery to someone named Charles Wooster (first reported in a DuPont patent). The list goes on and on... But does that mean we should ignore, boycott, or outlaw -named reac- ons-? Absolutely not. The above examples are merely exceptions to the rule. In fact, the chemists associated with name reactions are typically the original dis- verers, contribute greatly to its general use, and/or are the first to popularize the transformation. Regardless of the controversial history underlying certain named reactions, it is the students of organic chemistry who benefit the most from the - taloging of reactions by name. Indeed, it is with education in mind that Dr. Jack Li has masterfully brought the chemical community the latest edition of Name Reactions. It is clear why this beautiful treatise has rapidly become a bestseller within the chemical community.

As & A Level Chemistry Through Diagrams


Michael Lewis - 2002
    Simple illustrations are used to present information in a particularly clear and memorable way.

Essentials of Computational Chemistry: Theories and Models


Christopher J. Cramer - 2002
    Suitable for both experimentalists and theorists, a wide range of samples and applications are included drawn from all key areas. The book carefully leads the reader thorough the necessary equations providing information explanations and reasoning where necessary and firmly placing each equation in context.

Toxicological Chemistry and Biochemistry


Stanley E. Manahan - 2002
    The third edition has been thoroughly updated and expanded to reflect recent advances in important areas of research, including toxicogenetics and toxic effects on various body systems. Toxicological Chemistry and Biochemistry, Third Edition begins by outlining the basic concepts of general chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry needed to understand the topics in the book. The author then presents an overview of environmental chemistry so that you can understand the remainder of the material covered within that framework. He also discusses biodegradation, bioaccumulation, and biochemical processes that occur in water and soil. The new chapter on toxic effects considers toxicities to the endocrine and reproductive systems, and the section on xenobiotics analysis deals with the determination of toxicants and their metabolites in blood and other biological materials. The chapter on the genetic aspects of toxicology discusses the ways in which chemical damage to DNA can cause mutations, cancer, and other toxic effects on specific body systems, and it considers the role of genetics in determining individual susceptibilities to various toxicants. Toxicological Chemistry and Biochemistry, Third Edition retains the basic information and structure that made the first two editions popular with students and industry professionals, while enhancing the usefulness of the book and modernizing it in important areas. Review questions and supplementary references at the end of each chapter round out the third edition of this bestselling work.

On Beyond Uranium: Journey to the End of the Periodic Table


Sigurd Hofmann - 2002
    For nearly forty years scientists thought they knew the content of our planet and all of its contents. In the late 1930s the world of chemical science began to discover elements beyond Uranium - the 'transuranics'. These new, super-heavy elements are probably not found in nature at all but can be detected, if only for a few fractions of a second, in precisely designed experiments using powerful nuclear tools. On Beyond Uranium: Journey to the End of the Periodic Table is full of exciting new concepts and tells the story of the author's quest to discover elements never before known to man.

Descriptive Inorganic, Coordination, and Solid-State Chemistry


Glen E. Rodgers - 2002
    The approach offers instructors the opportunity to build upon and present concepts and applications that they find particularly important and fascinating. Consistent with the philosophy that less is better than more, this book does not contain traditional chapters reviewing or expanding on atomic and molecular structure and other topics previously and adequately developed in most introductory courses. As a result, the book moves directly into the presentation of topics central to inorganic chemistry. Written for students, with a conversational prose that is enjoyable and easy to understand, this book presents not only the basic theories and methods of inorganic chemistry (in three self-standing sections), but also a great deal of the history and the applications of the discipline. The author's presentation does not assume prerequisites of organic or physical chemistry.

Instructor's Solutions Manual To Accompany Atkins' Physical Chemistry, Eighth Edition


Peter Atkins - 2002
    The manual is intended for instructors and comprises material that is not made available to undergraduates. This manual is available free to all adopters of the parent text, and is available on the Internet from December 2001 prior to publication of the printed book, to coincide with publication of the parent text.

Foundations of Chemical Biology


C.M. Dobson - 2002
    What are the molecules found in cells? How do their intrinsic properties equip them to perform all the complex processes found in cells? This book introduces the fundamental chemistry of the molecules that are essential to all cells. The molecules covered include amino acids and sugar phosphate derivatives, and the macromolecules derived from them (proteins and nucleic acids respectively). In such a short text it is not possible to provide a comprehensive account of the chemistry of these molecules; instead this book introduces important concepts concerning their intrinsic chemistry. The aim is to provide the fundamental ideas relating to the chemistry of life that can then be applied to more advanced aspects of chemical biology.

150 More Captivating Chemistry Experiments Using Household Substances


Brian Rohrig - 2002
    Suitable for grades K-12. A step-by-step procedure and complete explanation is provided with each experiment. You will find many unique and innovative experiments not available elsewhere. An invaluable resource for any teacher, parent, or student with an interest in science. 14 captivating chapters.