KC Nicolaou explores some of the major chemical discoveries of the century

Molecules That Changed the World, written by bestselling author and world-renowned chemist, Professor K.C. Nicolaou, and Dr. Tamsyn Montagnon, takes an in-depth look at some of the most famous and infamous natural substances in medicinal history. Professor Nicolaou, author or co-author nearly 700 publications and 55 patents, brings his unique insight as an investigative scientist and medicinal chemist to each of these revolutionary substances, exploring their discovery, chemistry and impact on both the modern world and medicine.

From the life-saving Taxol (paclitaxel), a medication that slows the growth of cancer cells, to the life-taking Brevetoxin, an extremely potent neurotoxin, Nicolaou and Montagnon accurately and enthusiastically explain the impact of these substances on everyday life.

“In many areas of the modern world molecules play an important role,” stated Nicolaou. “For example, everyone needs Vitamin B12 for survival, and Aspirin is one of the most widely used pharmaceuticals in the world. The insight this book provides should prove useful to everyone from students, scientists and medical doctors to ordinary consumers.”

Published by Wiley-VCH, this is an unbeatable resource providing an entertaining and educational glimpse into the history and discovery, the biology and medicine, and the chemistry and synthesis of more than 30 unique substances. Fully illustrated with rare photographs and images, Molecules That Changed the World, is not only a scientific journey, it also encapsulates the most important aspects of history of chemical discovery in the last 50 years.

Source: Wiley-Blackwell