edited by Derek H R Barton (Texas A&M University)

This book is about the recognition of new principles in Organic Chemistry. It is also about the discovery and invention of Chemical Reactions. In addition, it deals with the determination of structure by chemical degradation during the epoch when physical methods were not well developed. Also presented are new reagents and new types of functional groups never seen in chemistry before. The overall aim of the collected papers is to show how thought can direct original research and to demonstrate how thought about old or new chemical facts can lead to originality. This is further illuminated by commentaries which Prof Barton has written to accompany these papers.

• In the Beginning
• Cis-Elimination
• Conformational Analysis
• Triterpenoid Chemistry
• Steroidal Alkaloids
• Sesquiterpenoids Caryophyllene
• Plant Bitter Principles
• Fungal Metabolites
• Biosynthesis of Phenolic Alkaloids
• The Invention of Photochemical Reactions
• Nitrite Photolysis
• Thionobenzoate Photolysis
• Biosynthesis of Steroids
• Tetracycline
• Electrophilic Fluorination
• Synthesis of 1α-Hydroxy- and 1α, 25-Dihydroxy-Vitamin D₃
• The Chemistry of Penicillin
• The Synthesis of Highly Hindered Olefins
• Phenylseleninic Anhydride and Related Oxidants
• Deoxygenation of Alcohols by Radical Mechanisms
• Radical-Anion Deoxygenation and Radical Deamination
• Deoxygenation By-Paths
• Radical Decarboxylation: The Chemistry of Barton Esters
• The Steroidal Side Chain and Related Matters
• The Chemistry Bi^v and Related Studies
• Gif Oxidation Chemistry
• Further Collaborative Research with Dr S D Gero & His Colleagues
• And What Remains?