Books in the RSC Paperbacks series

This is a comprehensive introduction to the chemistry of adhesives, and will be of interest to chemists, but also to readers with a background in physical or materials science.

This book is a must for all those seeking a straightforward explanation of how batteries are constructed, their operation, and the factors determining their performance and life.

In recent years, the use of illegal substances has increased, particularly 'designer' drugs which have rapidly become part of youth culture. The need for all involved in drug control to have up to date information about the subject has never been greater. This book helps meet this need by providing a chemical background to the legal controls on drugs of abuse. Although focussed on the UK, some of the provisions of the Misuse of Drugs Act derive from international treaties; the discussion of technical aspects is therefore of wider relevance. Apart from the Act itself, the book also deals with certain aspects of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations. There is detailed coverage of 'designer drugs' and the generic legislation that was introduced to tackle them. The more recent addition of 35 'Ecstasy'-like substances is covered in depth. The significance to the legislation of terms such as salt, base, stereoisomer, ester, ether, derivative, homologue and isotope are described, and the text is supplemented by 23 Tables and over 80 chemical structures. There are eleven Appendices covering topics such as precursor chemicals, related legislation, stated cases, sentencing guidelines and the chemical characteristics of commonly-abused drugs. Up-to-date lists of controlled drugs, with cross references to their status in UN treaties, are provided and a number of pending and other possible changes to the Act are included together with a guide to nomenclature and synonyms. Although primarily aimed at forensic scientists, this book will be of great benefit to all bodies concerned with drug control, including the police, customs officers, lawyers and government departments.

This text is intended to introduce the non-specialist reader to the benefits and limitations of polymeric materials from an environmental viewpoint.

This book discusses, in relatively simple language, the importance of even minute amounts of certain trace elements for the protection of human health and how insufficiency or excess may produce serious diseases. It also examines the use of metal chelators in the treatment of such diseases.

This text provides an introduction to physical chemistry and the gas laws, followed by chapters on thermodynamics, chemical equilibrium, electrochemistry and chemical kinetics.

This book is ideal for students taking chemistry as a subsidiary subject as well as honours degree students.

An invaluable source for students in all areas of food science, as well as in biological, organic and analytical chemistry and a good addition to any food technologist's bookshelf.

This book provides an up-to-date insight into the chemistry behind the colour of the dyes and pigments that make our world so colourful.

This book covers many of the topics relating to nitric oxide, with the aim of finding out why such a simple molecule can do so much.

This book brings the reader right up to date with current thinking, and will be valued by both interested consumers and those employed in industries related to the brewing industry

This book is up-to-date, wide-ranging and practical and will be an important source of information for many levels of readership in a variety of areas.