Radical Chemistry: The Fundamentals

The 'radicals' which are the principal subject of this book are reactive molecular fragments which may participate in chemical reactions. It has come to be recognised that these species, which may be quite indiscriminate in their mode of action, are important mediators of change within living organisms. This may be beneficial, though it is frequently associated with disease. At the same time, chemists have learnt how radical reactivity may often be tamed and put to use in the synthesis of complex molecules. This book sets out to provide a reader who has a grounding in organic chemistry with a basic understanding of radical behaviour upon which these important developments in chemistry and biology are being constructed.