Steroid Chemistry at a Glance

The term steroid has become virtually synonymous with drug abuse in sport to the majority of the public. However these steroids - androgens - actually comprise only a single relatively small class of biologically active steroids, and are overshadowed by a large collection of compounds, a sizeable number of which are commercial drugs that share the same structural carbon skeleton. The development of these drugs has led to a large body of organic chemistry often denoted 'Steroid Chemistry'.

Steroid Chemistry at a Glance provides a concise overview of the main principles, biological activity, chemical synthesis and reactions of steroid chemistry. Topics covered include:

• history, isolation and structure determination of steroids
• steroid nomenclature and stereochemistry
• natural sources of steroids
• estranes
• gonanes (19-nor steroids)
• androstanes
• progestins
• corticosteroids
• heterocyclic steroids

Based on the highly successful and student friendly 'at a glance' approach, Steroid Chemistry at a Glance provides students with a resource with which they can quickly, concisely and confidently acquire, regularly review and revise the basic facts that underpin the properties, synthesis and reactions of this important class of natural product-derived compounds. It will also serve as a handy bench reference for postgraduates and professional chemists.