Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates, or sugars, form an extensive class of natural organic compounds that constitute the major fraction of the organic substance on our planet. Carbohydrates are found in many fields of research, from fundamental study of living, objects and problems of organic chemistry to applied fields such as food industry, the industry of artificial materials or production of explosives. This book is addressed to researchers interested in carbohydrate studies and to professionals whose field is far from the subject but who need information on carbohydrates. Its focus is on some fundamental aspects of the structure of carbohydrate molecules and the most important approaches to their synthesis. The subject is considered from the organo-chemical point of view, i.e. it is presented in terms of molecular structures and conformations.