Botanical Miracles - Chemistry of Plants That Changed the World

A unique approach to natural products chemistry, this book relates applications of plant extracts to the historical progress of civilization. It focuses on selected plants from around the planet, connecting their stories and properties to the development of modern marvels such as medicinal compounds, nutrition products, beverages, perfumes and organic pigments. It provides a fascinating point of entry to the chemistry of important natural products, examining them through the key functional groups, building blocks and concepts of organic chemistry while addressing current challenges in the field.