This second edition of “The Chemistry of Plants – Perfumes, Pigments, and Poisons” retains the main objective of presenting organic chemistry in an accessible and inviting way by linking it with the world of plants.
This self-contained, comprehensive book begins with a review of some chemistry and plant biology principles in preparation for the fascinating organic chemistry of plant compounds. Readers with some chemistry background can browse through the introductions and proceed to the more complex chemical structures that compose plant substances, many of them of vital importance to us. Plant colors, fragrances, and defensive substances serve as an introduction to their chemistry. The final and most extensive chapter focuses on the many human uses of plants and describes the chemistry that makes these plants so valuable to people. This chapter has been expanded, in particular the sections on medicinal plants and on genetic modification. Color photos of characteristic plants complement the chemistry themes. The end-of-chapter references have been thoroughly updated with articles, books, and relevant websites that illustrate the topics discussed.
The experience of many years of teaching a popular college-level course to non-chemistry majors at San Francisco State University and of presenting workshops and field trips at botanical gardens and science centers have contributed to this book. Aside from undergraduate students, audiences included teachers, gardeners, artists, and the general public, in formal class rooms, outdoor settings, and at public events. The comments and questions from these audiences and the topics that especially captured people's interest have greatly shaped this book. Public exhibits that combine plants with molecular models of relevant plant substances can be found at several different botanical gardens (see Figure in this Preface). These displays illustrate how presentations of living plants combined with some chemistry facts can capture people's interest and make organic chemistry better accessible and understandable.
My special thanks go to the readers and commentators who generously contributed their knowledge and suggestions during the preparation of this second edition. I am most grateful to Linda Wraxall and Trudy Lionel for their detailed critical reading of the book chapters, their helpful advice, and their encouragement. Any errors that stubbornly resisted detection are entirely the author's responsibility. My thanks go also to Eveline Larrucea for helpful discussions of plant biology topics. I am grateful to Michael Cheng for plant materials. My special thanks are extended to the staff at the Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Berkeley, CA, and at the University of California Botanical Garden who were sources of great plant information.
I am truly indebted to the team at the Royal Society of Chemistry for their continued support, encouragement, and outstanding service.
Finally, my special thanks go to my husband Carlo for his support, continued encouragement, and patience.
Margareta Séquin
