George Britton, Synnl/Jve Liaaen-Jensen and Hanspeter Pfander This book, Volume 2 in the series Carotenoids, is the first book to be published that is devoted entirely to the total synthesis of carotenoids, but it is timely in view of the rapid development and the growing diversification of the carotenoid field. The 1971 Carotenoids book contained a major chapter of 250 pages on total synthesis by H. Mayer and O. Isler. That comprehensive and authoritative review described systematically the construction of many synthons and the synthesis of many natural and unnatural carotenoids and related compounds. Twenty five years on, that chapter remains an essential reference work and source of information, with its extensive collection of tabulated data and lists of references to the original literature. Surveys of progress since 1971 have been presented at the IUPAC International Symposia on Carotenoids and are included in the published proceedings of these symposia. The history of major publications in the carotenoid field, leading to the development of this series, was outlined in the preface to the series published in Vol. IA. The general philo­ sophy outlined in that preface, with emphasis on practical guidance and the inclusion of worked examples of some of the most useful procedures, is maintained in Vol. 2. In kceping with this philosophy, Vol. 2 is not intended to be an exhaustive review of the literature, but is planned as a practical book, as well as a source of information.

George Britton, Synnl/Jve Liaaen-Jensen and Hanspeter Pfander This book, Volume 2 in the series Carotenoids, is the first book to be published that is devoted entirely to the total synthesis of carotenoids, but it is timely in view of the rapid development and the growing diversification of the carotenoid field. The 1971 Carotenoids book contained a major chapter of 250 pages on total synthesis by H. Mayer and O. Isler. That comprehensive and authoritative review described systematically the construction of many synthons and the synthesis of many natural and unnatural carotenoids and related compounds. Twenty five years on, that chapter remains an essential reference work and source of information, with its extensive collection of tabulated data and lists of references to the original literature. Surveys of progress since 1971 have been presented at the IUPAC International Symposia on Carotenoids and are included in the published proceedings of these symposia. The history of major publications in the carotenoid field, leading to the development of this series, was outlined in the preface to the series published in Vol. IA. The general philo­ sophy outlined in that preface, with emphasis on practical guidance and the inclusion of worked examples of some of the most useful procedures, is maintained in Vol. 2. In kceping with this philosophy, Vol. 2 is not intended to be an exhaustive review of the literature, but is planned as a practical book, as well as a source of information.

Twenty years after the idea of this Carotenoids book series was first discussed, we are finally reaching the end of the project. Carotenoids Volumes 4 and 5 now move us into the great field of biology, and cover the functions of carotenoids and the actions of carotenoids in nutrition and health. In the classic 1971 Isler book Carotenoids, carotenoid functions were covered in just one chapter. Now, thanks to technical developments and multidisciplinary approaches that make it possible to study functional processes in great detail, this subject is the most rapidly expanding area of carotenoid research, and occupies two full volumes. These can be used as stand-alone books, but they are really planned to be used together and to complete the coverage of the carotenoid field begun in earlier volumes, as the final part of a coordinated series. The general philosophy and strategy of the series, to have expert authors review, analyse and present information and give guidance on practical strategies and procedures is maintained in Volumes 4 and 5, though the subject matter does not lend itself to the kind of detailed Worked Examples that were featured in earlier volumes. It has also been the aim that these publications should be useful for both experienced carotenoid researchers and newcomers to the field.

George Britton, Synnl/Jve Liaaen-Jensen and Hanspeter Pfander This book, Volume 2 in the series Carotenoids, is the first book to be published that is devoted entirely to the total synthesis of carotenoids, but it is timely in view of the rapid development and the growing diversification of the carotenoid field. The 1971 Carotenoids book contained a major chapter of 250 pages on total synthesis by H. Mayer and O. Isler. That comprehensive and authoritative review described systematically the construction of many synthons and the synthesis of many natural and unnatural carotenoids and related compounds. Twenty five years on, that chapter remains an essential reference work and source of information, with its extensive collection of tabulated data and lists of references to the original literature. Surveys of progress since 1971 have been presented at the IUPAC International Symposia on Carotenoids and are included in the published proceedings of these symposia. The history of major publications in the carotenoid field, leading to the development of this series, was outlined in the preface to the series published in Vol. IA. The general philo­ sophy outlined in that preface, with emphasis on practical guidance and the inclusion of worked examples of some of the most useful procedures, is maintained in Vol. 2. In kceping with this philosophy, Vol. 2 is not intended to be an exhaustive review of the literature, but is planned as a practical book, as well as a source of information.

George Britton, Synnl/Jve Liaaen-Jensen and Hanspeter Pfander This book, Volume 2 in the series Carotenoids, is the first book to be published that is devoted entirely to the total synthesis of carotenoids, but it is timely in view of the rapid development and the growing diversification of the carotenoid field. The 1971 Carotenoids book contained a major chapter of 250 pages on total synthesis by H. Mayer and O. Isler. That comprehensive and authoritative review described systematically the construction of many synthons and the synthesis of many natural and unnatural carotenoids and related compounds. Twenty five years on, that chapter remains an essential reference work and source of information, with its extensive collection of tabulated data and lists of references to the original literature. Surveys of progress since 1971 have been presented at the IUPAC International Symposia on Carotenoids and are included in the published proceedings of these symposia. The history of major publications in the carotenoid field, leading to the development of this series, was outlined in the preface to the series published in Vol. IA. The general philo­ sophy outlined in that preface, with emphasis on practical guidance and the inclusion of worked examples of some of the most useful procedures, is maintained in Vol. 2. In kceping with this philosophy, Vol. 2 is not intended to be an exhaustive review of the literature, but is planned as a practical book, as well as a source of information.

Twenty years after the idea of this Carotenoids book series was first discussed, we are finally reaching the end of the project. Carotenoids Volumes 4 and 5 now move us into the great field of biology, and cover the functions of carotenoids and the actions of carotenoids in nutrition and health. In the classic 1971 Isler book Carotenoids, carotenoid functions were covered in just one chapter. Now, thanks to technical developments and multidisciplinary approaches that make it possible to study functional processes in great detail, this subject is the most rapidly expanding area of carotenoid research, and occupies two full volumes. These can be used as stand-alone books, but they are really planned to be used together and to complete the coverage of the carotenoid field begun in earlier volumes, as the final part of a coordinated series. The general philosophy and strategy of the series, to have expert authors review, analyse and present information and give guidance on practical strategies and procedures is maintained in Volumes 4 and 5, though the subject matter does not lend itself to the kind of detailed Worked Examples that were featured in earlier volumes. It has also been the aim that these publications should be useful for both experienced carotenoid researchers and newcomers to the field.