Organic Chemistry

Dr Jeffrey J. Deakin earned a BSc degree in chemistry with first class honors from the University of London followed by a PhD degree in physical chemistry from the University of Cambridge.As a teacher of science, Jeff headed chemistry and physics departments in grammar and comprehensive schools in the UK. He has written books and numerous articles aimed at demystifying chemistry and broadening interest in the subject.Jeff is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Chemistry in London. He was a member of the Curriculum and Assessment Working Group at the Royal Society of Chemistry, which recently reviewed the national curriculum in chemistry in each of the four home nations of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.Recipient of an Excel Award in 2021 from the American Association of Media and Publishing for a feature article published by the American Chemical Society. The American Association of Media and Publishing explains that ‘Excel Awards recognize excellence and leadership in media, publishing and marketing; communications offering ‘the best products and services on the market spotlighting first-class content which is both innovative and enlightening in a rapidly changing world.’ The American Association of Media and Publishing involves about 700 providers in the USA.

• PART I IntroductionOrganic ChemistryContext: Miraculous Chemicals from PlantsReferencesNomenclatureBotanical namesScope of chemistryPART II Medical MarvelsIntroductionCentral America’s Humble Potato!Suggested Further Reading ReferenceEurope Solves a Headache! Emergence of Aspirin Suggested Further ReadingReferenceAttacking Malaria: a South American Treasure and a Chinese MiracleSuggested Further ReadingReferencesA Steroid in Your GardenSuggested Further ReadingReferenceAfrica’s Gift to the WorldSuggested Further ReadingSaving the Pacific Yew TreeReferencesVaccines, Adjuvants and Organic ChemistryA Vaccine Against Covid-19ReferencesPART III Nutrition—Ancient and Modern MiraclesIntroductionRediscovering Traditional Grains of the Americas—Chia and QuinoaSuggested Further ReadingWheat—Ancient and ModernSuggested Further ReadingReferencesAsian Staple—Rice Suggested Further ReadingChinese Cordyceps—Winter Worm, Summer GrassSuggested Further ReadingPART IV BeveragesIntroductionTea: from Legend to Healthy Obsession!Selected further readingCocoa (Cacao)—Food of the GodsChemical Constituents of CocoaSuggested Further ReadingCoffee—Wake Up and Smell the Aroma!Suggested Further ReadingMaca from the High Andes in South AmericaSuggested Further ReadingReferencePART V EuphoricsIntroductionSuggested Further ReadingMorphine: A Double-Edged SwordSuggested Further ReadingCannabis and MarijuanaSuggested Further ReadingCoca and CocaineSuggested Further ReadingTobacco: A Profound Impact on the WorldReferencePART VI Exotic Potions, Lotions and OilsIntroductionSuggested Further ReadingA Plant from the East Indies, CamphorSuggested Further ReadingBiblical Resins: Frankincense and MyrrhSuggested Further ReadingReferencesEuropean LavenderSuggested Further ReadingGlobal AloeSuggested Further ReadingReferencePART VII Colorful Chemistry, a NaturalPalette of Plant Dyes and PigmentsIntroductionSelected ReadingOur World of Green Plants—Human SurvivalSuggested Further ReadingReferencesSaffron and Carotenoids—Yellow and Orange DyesSuggested Further ReadingReferenceWoad (Isatis Tinctoria) and IndigoSuggested Further ReadingReferenceRed Dyes from Henna, Dyer’s Bugloss and MadderSuggested Further ReadingReferencesReversible Colors in Flowers, Berries and FruitSuggested Further ReadingReferencesPART VIII Plant MaterialsIntroductionThe Wonderful World of WoodReferencesSecrets of a Sticky SecretionReferencesSuggested Further ReadingThe Green Credentials of BioplasticReferencesSuggested Further ReadingPART IX Plants and the Natural EnvironmentIntroductionSeaweed and ‘Blue’ CarbonReferencesSuggestions for Further ReadingGarlic and Pungent SmellsSuggested Further ReadingLearning to Love LegumesReferencesGlossary Organic Chemistry: Miracles from Plants Acknowledgments Index