Alicyclic chemistry is a fundamentally important area of chemistry. It
exemplifies the concepts of bonded and non-bonded interactions of atoms,
and the ideas of molecular strain and their impact on the stability and
reactivity of a range of molecular types. This book aims to present the
experimental basis for these concepts. A survey of alicyclic chemistry
must, however, also discuss the more important groups of natural
products based on alicyclic structure and methods for their synthesis.
In this second edition, first published in 1983, the coverage was
extended to include examples of terpenes, sterols, prostaglandins and
macrocycles. A discussion of spiro-compounds was also added. The book
will be of use to advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students of
organic chemistry and their teachers.