A complete reference to new sources of starting materials for organic synthesis of chiral compounds

While carbohydrate synthons have received much attention in recent years, the potential pool of new compounds has gone largely untapped. This book removes the obstacles to using many carbohydrate products and derivatives and provides a broad introduction to implementing the organic synthesis of chiral compounds.

Unlike any other book on the subject, Carbohydrate Building Blocks features a compendium of compounds that can be prepared from inexpensive materials by following a few easy steps. This exciting new material is presented in pictorial dictionary form to facilitate the easy identification and selection of useful compounds.

This invaluable guide places the entire field of carbohydrate building blocks at your fingertips. It also:
* Introduces organic chemists and molecular architects to many new sources of useful raw materials
* Shows the advantages of using readily available carbohydrates as starting materials for organic synthesis of chemical compounds
* Points out the best carbohydrates to use, where to find them, and how to acquire them at low cost from commercial sources
* Describes the most effective methods of converting carbohydrates into usable building blocks
* Clarifies and updates the largely arcane and confusing nomenclature of carbohydrate compounds
* Offers time- and cost-saving tips for compound preparation throughout the text
* Proposes new ways to improve selection and preparation of desirable compounds

For synthetic organic chemists, for professors and students in organic chemistry, and for anyone in search of starting material for synthesis, this book stands as an indispensable guide, an excellent reference, and a boundless source of ideas for further research.