RSC Books Blog

The first title within the RSC Polymer Chemistry Series is now published. Edited by Peter A Williams, Renewable Resources for Functional Polymers and Biomaterials covers the source, production, structures and properties of some of the most important biomacromolecules with applications in the fields of biotechnology and medicine. The importance of renewable based materials has lead to a renaissance in the chemistry of biomacromolecules and the new book features polysaccharides obtained from botanical, algal, animal and microbial sources; microbial polyesters; the glycoproteins fibronectin and laminin as well as an introduction to nucleic acid polymers and genetic engineering.

View selected content from the eBook now: http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/eBook/978-1-84973-245-1

Congratulations to all the winners of poster prizes at the 6th International Symposium of Macrocyclic and Supramolecular Chemistry held on 3-7 th July 2011 at the University of Sussesx, Brighton.  There were about 250 poster presentations, many by PhD students, and David Smith, York and chair of the poster prize committee commented what a difficult decision it had been to chose the prize winners.  RSC books were awarded  to the following:

Anion Receptor Chemistry – Jonathan Sessler, Philip Gale and Won-Seob Cho

FP71      Anion-switchable supramolecular gels for controlling pharmaceutical crystal growth Jonathan Foster, University of Durham, UK

and

Boronic Acids in Saccharide Recognition – Tony James, Marcus Phillips and Seiji Shinkai

P172      Fabrication of soft submicrospheres composed of boronate ester polymers and their dynamic behaviour

Ryuhei Nishiyabu, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Japan

and

Calixarenes – C David Gutsche

P130      Allosteric enhancement in light-driven foldameric receptors to control chloride concentrations

Semin Lee, Indiana University, USA

Further details on the books can be found at http://www.rsc.org/shop/books/series/15.asp?seriesid=15

The third edition of this popular book has been fully revised and updated by author Jacqueline Akhavan, Cranfield University.  It outlines the basic principles needed to understand the mechanism of explosions by chemical explosives. The history, theory and chemical types of explosives are introduced, providing the reader with information on the physical parameters of primary and secondary explosives. Thermodynamics, enthalpy, free energy and gas equations are covered together with examples of calculations, leading to the power and temperature of explosions.  The new generation of explosive compositions called Insensitive High Explosives (IHE) have been introduced in this third edition with details of their properties.  The effect explosives have on the environment has also been introduced together with relevant legislations.  The new edition contains information on polyphosphazenes, high nitrogen molecules and details on new explosives such as LLM-105, CL-20, FOX-7, FOX-12, and DADNE. More detailed information is also provided on safety and the EMTAP tests. The book will aid the understanding of the theory of hot spots and its relationship to detonation and provides details on the manufacturing process for explosive molecules containing nitro, nitrate esters and nitramines.

This concise, readable book is ideal for ‘A’ level students and new graduates with no previous knowledge of explosive compositions.  With detailed information on a vast range of explosives in tabular form and an extensive bibliography, this book will also be useful to anyone needing succinct information on the subject, such as the more experienced chemist in the explosives industry.  For more information see http://www.rsc.org/Shop/books/2011/9781849733304.asp

The latest volume in the Comprehensive Series in Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences is the first book to cover this interesting and rapidly spreading topic, namely the use of visible light and photosensitising agents for controlling the population of microbial pathogens.  Edited by Michael R Hamblin and Giulio Jori two pioneers in the field, Photodynamic Inactivation of Microbial Pathogens: Medical and Environmental Applications brings together the foremost practitioners to provide an up to date account for workers in the field.  More information is available at http://www.rsc.org/Shop/books/2011/9781849731447.asp

Until recently asymmetric reactions were deemed inefficient and limited in scope. However, since 2008 there has been explosive growth in the field, presenting more material than can be considered in a single review.

Pellissier’s monograph, one of the latest titles in the RSC Catalysis series, presents a distinct overview of recent research in a very accessible format. Already a popular title in the series, the book has received glowing reviews in JACS and Chemistry World.

The RSC Polymer Chemistry Series is a new collection of professional reference books aimed at providing an up-to-date perspective and critical review on new developments in polymer chemistry. The Series is led by Editor-in-Chief, Ben Zhong Tang, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology with Series Editors Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, University of British Columbia; Stephen Craig, Duke University; Jianhua Dong, National Natural Science Foundation of China; Toshio Masuda, Fukui University of Technology and Christoph Weder, University of Fribourg.

The first titles will be published later this year and further information can be found at www.rsc.org/polymerseries.

Anthony D Covington, Emeritus Professor of Leather Science at the University of Northampton, UK and author of Tanning Chemistry: The Science of Leather has been awarded the coveted Alsop Award in recognition of his contribution to the leather industry.  Details can be found at http://www.northampton.ac.uk/news/article/101/northampton-professor-wins-international-award.

The RSC is delighted to congratulate him and acknowledge the Alsop Award which was awarded in particular recognition for his book Tanning Chemistry: The Science of Leather. Professor Covington’s book was published by the RSC in 2009, and is still the only current text on tanning science to address the scientific principles which underpin the processes involved in making leather.

 For more information on the book visit http://www.rsc.org/shop/books/2009/9780854041701.asp.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, this book is the proceedings of the conference  Magnetic Resonance in Food Science held at the Clermont-Ferrand-Theix Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), and forms part of the continuing series of proceedings of the biennial conferences on applications of magnetic resonance to food science.  The book provides a global survey, written by leading authorities, raising awareness of current activity in the field and potential applications.  For further details see http://www.rsc.org/shop/books/2011/9781849732338.asp

Incidents in the past have made scientists aware of the need for accurate methods of radionuclide analyses in order to estimate the risk to the public from released radioactivity .This book is an authoritative, up-to-date collection of research contributions presented at the 11th International Symposium on Environmental Radiochemical Analysis. Representing the work of leading scientists from across the globe it presents information on analytical radiochemistry, the behaviour of radionuclides in the environment, radioactively contaminated land, fate of radionuclides in natural and engineered environments and behaviour of radionuclides in radioactive wastes. This essential work will be a key reference for graduates and professionals who work across fields involving analytical chemistry, environmental science and technology, and hazards and waste research and disposal.  More information is available from http://www.rsc.org/shop/books/2011/9781849731553.asp.

This book is the proceedings of the International Conference on Water Contamination Emergencies: Monitoring, Understanding, Acting held in October 2010. The fourth in a series of conference proceedings this book develops themes from three previous, highly successful Water Contamination conferences in addition to dealing specifically with four new principle themes: monitoring, understanding, acting and lessons learned.  With contributions from leading scientists and experts in academia and industry it offers a truly international perspective on our ability to deal with water contamination emergencies. Emphasis is given to prevention, strategy and unusual emergency incident situations relating to drinking water. The book appeals across the board from public health and environmental professionals to companies, agencies, regulators and experts involved in emergency planning and response.  More details can be found at http://www.rsc.org/shop/books/2011/9781849731560.asp.