Written by some of the most talented young chemists in Europe, this text covers most of the groundbreaking issues in chemistry. It provides an account of the latest research results in European chemistry based on a selection of leading young scientists participating in the 2008 European Young Chemists Award competition. The contributions range from self-organization to new catalytic synthetic methodologies to organocatalysis. In addition, the authors provide a current overview of their field of research and a preview of future directions. For organic, catalytic, natural products and biochemists.

Bruno Pignataro, born in Bologna in 1972, is Professor of Physical Chemistry at the University of Palermo. He received his degree in chemistry in 1995 from the University of Catania and his PhD in materials science five years later. He has helped establish a wide network of international collaborations and organized more than 10 meetings at national and international level, including coordinating the Young Chemists Group of the Italian Chemical Society and chairing the first editions of the European Young Chemist Award. He is a referee for several leading chemistry and materials journals, has more than 70 scientific publications and some 90 conference communications to his name, along with several invited lectures. Professor Pignataro's research interests focus on the related fields of the physical chemistry of molecular surfaces and soft nanotechnologies.

Preface PART I: Innovative Processes in Organic Chemistry N-HYDROXY DERIVATIVES: KEY ORGANOCATALYSTS FOR THE SELECTIVE FREE RADICAL AEROBIC OXIDATION OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS Introduction General Reactivity of N-Hydroxy Derivatives Aerobic Oxidation Catalyzed by N-Hydroxy Amines Aerobic Oxidation Catalyzed by N-Hydroxy Amides Aerobic Oxidation Catalyzed by N-Hydroxy Imides Conclusions GOLD-CATALYZED INTRA- AND INTERMOLECULAR CYCLOADDITIONS OF PUSH-PULL DIENYNES Introduction Gold-Catalyzed Enyne Cycloisomerizations Gold-Catalyzed Intermolecular Cycloadditions Conclusions and Future Perspectives N-HETEROCYCLIC CARBENES IN COPPER-CATALYZED REACTIONS Introduction Preparation of NHC-Containing Copper Complexes Main Applications of [(NHC)Cu] Complexes in Catalysis Copper Hydride-Mediated Reactions [3+2] Cycloadditions of Azides and Alkynes Concluding Remarks SUPPORTED ORGANOCATALYSTS AS A POWERFUL TOOL IN ORGANIC SYNTHESIS Introduction L-Proline and its Derivatives on Ionic Liquid-Modified Silica Gels Polystyrene-Supported Proline as a Versatile and Recyclable Organocatalyst Prolinamide-Supported Polystyrenes as Highly Stereoselective and Recyclable Organocalysts for the Aldol Reaction Outlook and Future Perspectives THE COMPLEX-INDUCED PROXIMITY EFFECT IN ORGANOLITHIUM CHEMISTRY AND ITS IMPORTANCE IN THE LITHIATION OF TERTIARY AMINES Introduction State of the Art Latest Developments Conclusions and Outlook PART II: Predictive Tools in Organic Chemical Reactions DOUBLE HYDROGEN BONDING IN ASYMMETRIC ORGANOCATALYSIS: A MECHANISTIC PERSPECTIVE Introduction Diols and Amidoalcohols (Thio)ureas Phosphoric Acids Other Catalysts Conclusions and Outlook DYNAMIC COVALENT CAPTURE: A SENSITIVE TOOL FOR DETECTING MOLECULAR INTERACTIONS Introduction Hydrogen Bond-Driven Self-Assembly in Aqueous Solution Measuring Stability and Order in Biological Structures Drug Discovery Catalyst Discovery The Analysis of Complex Chemical Systems Perspective PART III: Chemical Reactions, Sustainable Processes, and Environment FURFURAL AND FURFURAL-BASED INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS Carbohydrates for Life Furfural-Evolution over Nearly Two Centuries Applications of Furfural Mechanistic Considerations on the Conversion of Pentosans into Furfural Production of Furfural Conclusion and Future Perspective MULTIPLE BOND-FORMING TRANSFORMATIONS: THE KEY CONCEPT TOWARD ECO-COMPATIBLE SYNTHETIC ORGANIC CHEMISTRY The Science of Synthesis Multiple Bond-Forming Transformations (MBFTs) An Account of Our Recent Contributions Conclusion MODELING OF INDIRECT PHOTOTRANSFORMATION REACTIONS IN SURFACE WATERS Introduction Indirect Photolysis Processes in Surface Waters Modeling the Photochemistry of Surface Waters Conclusions and Perspectives PART IV: Organic Synthesis and Materials BOTTOM-UP APPROACHES TO NANOGRAPHENES THROUGH ORGANIC SYNTHESIS Introduction Alternant Polyarenes with 10 Fused Benzene Rings Alternant Polyarenes with 11 Fused Benzene Rings Alternant Polyarenes with 12 Fused Benzene Rings Alternant Polyarenes with 13 Fused Benzene Rings Alternant Polyarenes with 14 Fused Benzene Rings Alternant Polyarenes with More Than 150 Fused Benzene Rings Conclusions and Outlook DIFFERENTIATED LIGANDS FOR THE SEQUENTIAL CONSTRUCTION OF CRYSTALLINE HETEROMETALLIC ASSEMBLIES Introduction Dithiolate Ligands Dipyrrin Ligands Conclusion and Outlook WATER-SOLUBLE PERYLENE DYES History and Functionalization of Perylene Dyes Derivatization of Perylene Dyes Properties and Applications of Perylene Dyes Advantages and Applications of Water-Soluble Perylene Derivatives Symmetric Water-Soluble PDIs Unsymmetric PDIs Chiral Water-Soluble PDIs Conclusion and Outlook