Organic and Bio-molecular Chemistry - Volume I

Francesco Nicotra

Apr 2009 · EOLSS Publications

About this ebook

Organic And Bio-Molecular Chemistry is the component of Encyclopedia of Chemical Sciences, Engineering and Technology Resources in the global Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), which is an integrated compendium of twenty one Encyclopedias.  The Theme on Organic And Bio-Molecular Chemistry in the Encyclopedia of Chemical Sciences, Engineering and Technology Resources deal with the discipline that studies the molecules of life, which are made by carbon atoms, and includes also all the synthetic compounds the skeletons of which contain carbon atoms. The first chapter describes in general terms, for not expert readers, what Organic and Bio-molecular chemistry is, the nature and behavior of organic compounds in living organisms, the importance of organic compounds in the market and in our every day life. The subsequent chapters are organized in order to provide the reader with information on the structure, reactivity, analysis and different applications of Organic Compounds. These two volumes are aimed at the following five major target audiences: University and College students Educators, Professional practitioners, Research personnel and Policy analysts, managers, and decision makers and NGOs.

About the author

Francesco Nicotra was born in Catania in 1950. He graduated in Chemistry at the University of Catania in 1973; then he moved to the University of Milano where he became permanent researcher in 1981 and associated professor in 1987. In 1985 he spent a post-doc period at the University of Orleans, under the supervision of Pierre Sinay. Actually he is full professor of organic chemistry at the University of Milano Bicocca and Director of the Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences.  He is member of the IUPAC Committee of Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry and chairman of the subcommittee of Biotechnology. He is also the Italian representative in the International Carbohydrate Organisation. The research interests ranges across the synthesis of various biologically active compounds, in particular carbohydrates and structural analogs, the development of new synthetic methods and the use of biocatalysis.