Heterocycles in Life and Society is an introduction to the chemistry of heterocyclic compounds, focusing on their origin and occurrence in nature, biochemical significance and wide range of applications. Written in a readable and accessible style, the book takes a multidisciplinary approach to this extremely important area of organic chemistry. Topics covered include an introduction to the structure and properties of heterocycles; the key role of heterocycles in important life processes such as the transfer of hereditary information, how enzymes function, the storage and transport of bioenergy, and photosynthesis; applications of heterocycles in medicine, agriculture and industry; heterocycles in supramolecular chemistry; the origin of heterocycles on primordial Earth; and how heterocycles can help us solve 21st century challenges. For this second edition, Heterocycles in Life and Society has been completely revised and expanded, drawing on a decade of innovation in heterocyclic chemistry. The new edition includes discussions of the role of heterocycles in nanochemistry, green chemistry, combinatorial chemistry, molecular devices and sensors, and supramolecular chemistry. Impressive achievements include the creation of various molecular devices, the recording and storage of information, the preparation of new organic conductors, and new effective drugs and pesticides with heterocyclic structures. Much new light has been thrown on various life processes, while the chemistry of heterocycles has expanded to include new types of heterocyclic structures and reactions, and the use of heterocyclic molecules as ionic liquids and proton sponges. Heterocycles in Life and Society is an essential guide to this important field for students and researchers in chemistry, biochemistry, and drug discovery, and scientists at all levels wishing to expand their scientific horizon.

Heterocycles in Life and Society is an introduction to thechemistry of heterocyclic compounds, focusing on their origin andoccurrence in nature, biochemical significance and wide range ofapplications. Written in a readable and accessible style, the booktakes a multidisciplinary approach to this extremely important areaof organic chemistry.Topics covered include an introduction to the structure andproperties of heterocycles; the key role of heterocycles inimportant life processes such as the transfer of hereditaryinformation, how enzymes function, the storage and transport ofbioenergy, and photosynthesis; applications of heterocycles inmedicine, agriculture and industry; heterocycles in supramolecularchemistry; the origin of heterocycles on primordial Earth; and howheterocycles can help us solve 21st centurychallenges.For this second edition, Heterocycles in Life and Societyhas been completely revised and expanded, drawing on a decade ofinnovation in heterocyclic chemistry. The new edition includesdiscussions of the role of heterocycles in nanochemistry, greenchemistry, combinatorial chemistry, molecular devices and sensorsand supramolecular chemistry. Impressive achievements include thecreation of various molecular devices, the recording and storage ofinformation, the preparation of new organic conductors, andnew effective drugs and pesticides with heterocyclic structures.Much new light has been thrown on various life processes, while thechemistry of heterocycles has expanded to include new types ofheterocyclic structures and reactions, and the use of heterocyclicmolecules as ionic liquids and proton sponges.Heterocycles in Life and Society is an essential guide tothis important field for students and researchers in chemistrybiochemistry, and drug discovery, and scientists at all levelswishing to expand their scientific horizon.

PREFACE TO SECOND ENGLISH EDITIONPREFACE TO FIRST ENGLISHEDITION1 MOLECULAR RINGS STUDDED WITH JEWELS1.1 From Homocycleto Heterocycle1.2 Building Heterocycles from Benzene1.3 Some More Kinds of Heterocycles1.4 Problems1.5 Suggested Reading2 WHY NATURE PREFERS HETEROCYCLES2.1 Reactions for All Tastes2.2 Heterocycles as Acids and Bases2.3 Heterocycles and Metals2.4 'There are Subtle Ties of Power...'2.5 Tautomerism: Heterocycles and Their 'Masks'2.6 Problems2.7 Suggested Reading3 HETEROCYCLES AND HEREDITARY INFORMATION3.1 Nucleic Acids3.2 The Double Helix3.3 How One DNA Doubles Itself3.4 Protein Synthesis. Genetic Code and Genome3.5 What are Mutations?3.6 Mysterious Telomers3.7 Gene Expression3.8 Problems3.9 Suggested Reading4 ENZYMES, COENZYMES AND VITAMINS4.1 Molecular Robots4.2 Coenzymes and Enzymes as 'Joint MolecularVentures'4.3 Vitamins, the 'Molecules of Health'4.4 Ribozymes: Vestiges of an Ancient World4.5 Problems4.6 Suggested Reading5 HETEROCYCLES AND BIOENERGETICS5.1 ATP as the Universal Currency of Energy5.2 Breathing5.3 Problems5.4 Suggested Reading6 HETEROCYCLES AND PHOTOSYNTHESIS6.1 Chlorophyll: Sunlight-receiving Antenna and EnergyCarrier6.2 What Daylight can Achieve6.3 Photosynthesis without Light6.4 Problems6.5 Suggested Reading7 HETEROCYCLES AND HEALTH7.1 Medicines from a Natural Storehouse7.2 Heterocycles versus Infectious Microbes7.3 Heterocycles and Viral Infections7.4 Heterocycles and the Diseases of Our Century7.5 Heterocyclic Molecules in Combat with Ulcer and SexualDisfunctions7.6 Problems7.7 Suggested Reading8 HETEROCYCLES IN AGRICULTURE8.1 A Century of Chemical Warfare against Weeds8.2 Regulators of Plant Growth8.3 The Struggle against Voracious Insects8.4 Resisting the Kingdoms of Mustiness and Rot8.5 Heterocycles in Animal Husbandry8.6 Combinatorial Chemistry and Functional Genomics in theSynthesis of Biologically ActiveHeterocyclic Compounds8.7 Problems8.8 Suggested Reading9 HETEROCYCLES IN INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY9.1 Heterocycles and Natural Colors9.2 Dyes9.3 Fluorescent Agents9.4 Color Change Compounds9.5 Fire Retardancy9.6 Photographic Materials and Recorders of Information9.7 Heterocycles as Food Additives9.8 Heterocycles as Cosmetics and Perfumery Ingredients9.9 Other Applications9.10 Problems9.11 Suggested Reading10 HETEROCYCLES AND SUPRAMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY10.1 Molecular Recognition and Host-Guest Interactions10.2 Self-assembling Molecular Systems10.3 Problems10.4 Suggested Reading11 HETEROCYCLES AND 21st CENTURY CHALLENGES11.1 Energy Problems11.2 Ecology and Green Chemistry11.3 Biotechnology and Related Problems11.4 From Molecular Devices to Molecular Computer11.5 Problems11.6 Suggested Reading12 THE ORIGIN OF HETEROCYCLES12.1 Origin of the Universe and Appearance of ChemicalElements12.2 Iterstellar Molecules12.3 Organic Compounds in Comets and Meteorites12.4 Do Heterocycles exist on the Moon and Mars?12.5 The Atmosphere of Earth and Other Planets12.6 Heterocycles and the Origin of the Biosphere12.7 Problems12.8 Suggested ReadingCONCLUSIONANSWERS AND REFERENCES TO SELECTED PROBLEMSINDEX