Overview

Why are leaves green and blood red? The answer lies with one family of pigments, the porphyrins and their relatives. These pigments are also responsible for the fundamental energetic processes that make life as we know it possible. This text provides an introduction to porphyrins and their role. The properties of these colourful molecules are now being investigated for use in a wide range of applications, from cancer therapy to microelectronics.

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9780198559627

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A lively and comprehensive account . . . . This is truly a book with something for everyone. Milgrom's explanations draw on inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, and biochemistry. --Journal of Chemical Education<br> This book starts with the proposition that the fundamental processes which make life feasible--photosynthesis and metabolism in cells--rely on the porphyrin family. Aiming to present the chemistry of porphyrins both to the specialist and non-specialist reader, it will, I think, be most useful for teachers and lecturers wanting an overview of the field. The coverage is wide-ranging. --Education in Chemistry<br> It has been some years since a book that reviews porphyrin chemistry was published. The current book discusses the chemistry and biochemistry of porphyrins at the advanced undergraduate or beginning graduate level. It is often difficult to find a clearly written description of the fundamentals of an area for students; this book exactly fills that niche, giving students the background they need to read current literature and review articles. - The Quarterly Review of Biology, March 2000<br>

'...it will...be most useful to teachers and lecturers wanting an overview of the field. The coverage is wide-ranging...' * Simon Cotton, Education in Chemistry * 'It may be just once in a blue moon that a good book about colours comes along, but The Colours of Life by Lionel Milgrom does the trick...Porphyrins are not only of interest for their roles in the natural world...This is a truly fascinating class of molecules. While reading about them you can learn a lot about chemistry and biochemistry.' * New Scientist * What other book would cover subjects as diverse as Kant-Laplace theory, anti-aromaticity and the Peirls transition * Nature * Milgrom's book is written in an easy, accessible style, drawing on his wide experience of writing for the popular press. As such it is very readable and would be a worthwhile addition to many bookshelves. The scientific treatment is broad. The book is well presented and liberally illustrated by clear diagrams ... The colours of life has much to offer the reader who will enjoy Milgrom's clear enthusiasm for his subject. * Duncan Bruce, University of Exeter, Chemistry & Industry, December 1997 * The chemistry along the way is elaborate, enagaging and presented with unusual insight. * Thomas A. Moore, Arizona State University, * The chemistry along the way is elaborate, engaging and presented with unusual insight. * Thomas A. Moore, Arizona State University, Nature, Vol. 389, October 997 * This is a handy little book for all whose interests in biology or materials might bring them into contact with porphyrin molecules and related chemical species. ... the book is readable for chemists from undergraduate level up. It contains a wealth of detail on prophyrin chemistry and is highly recommended. * Chemistry in Britain, October *

This is a handy little book for all whose interests in biology or materials might bring them into contact with porphyrin molecules and related chemical species. ... the book is readable for chemists from undergraduate level up. It contains a wealth of detail on prophyrin chemistry and is highly recommended. Chemistry in Britain, October The chemistry along the way is elaborate, engaging and presented with unusual insight. Thomas A. Moore, Arizona State University, Nature, Vol. 389, October 997 The chemistry along the way is elaborate, enagaging and presented with unusual insight. Thomas A. Moore, Arizona State University, Milgrom's book is written in an easy, accessible style, drawing on his wide experience of writing for the popular press. As such it is very readable and would be a worthwhile addition to many bookshelves. The scientific treatment is broad. The book is well presented and liberally illustrated by clear diagrams ... The colours of life has much to offer the reader who will enjoy Milgrom's clear enthusiasm for his subject. Duncan Bruce, University of Exeter, Chemistry & Industry, December 1997 What other book would cover subjects as diverse as Kant-Laplace theory, anti-aromaticity and the Peirls transition Nature 'It may be just once in a blue moon that a good book about colours comes along, but The Colours of Life by Lionel Milgrom does the trick...Porphyrins are not only of interest for their roles in the natural world...This is a truly fascinating class of molecules. While reading about them you can learn a lot about chemistry and biochemistry.' New Scientist '...it will...be most useful to teachers and lecturers wanting an overview of the field. The coverage is wide-ranging...' Simon Cotton, Education in Chemistry

A lively and comprehensive account . . . . This is truly a book with something for everyone. Milgrom's explanations draw on inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, and biochemistry. --Journal of Chemical Education This book starts with the proposition that the fundamental processes which make life feasible--photosynthesis and metabolism in cells--rely on the porphyrin family. Aiming to present the chemistry of porphyrins both to the specialist and non-specialist reader, it will, I think, be most useful for teachers and lecturers wanting an overview of the field. The coverage is wide-ranging. --Education in Chemistry It has been some years since a book that reviews porphyrin chemistry was published. The current book discusses the chemistry and biochemistry of porphyrins at the advanced undergraduate or beginning graduate level. It is often difficult to find a clearly written description of the fundamentals of an area for students; this book exactly fills that niche, giving students the background they need to read current literature and review articles. - The Quarterly Review of Biology, March 2000

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