The long-awaited volume on synthetic chemistry in the series "Methods and Principles in Medicinal Chemistry" is now available. In the pharmaceutical industry, computational methods play a major role in the discovery and development of new drugs. Yet, the SYNTHESIS of these compounds still remains the most crucial topic in drug design.

Written by an internationally renowned team of authors and editors from academia and industry, this volume describes all recent developments in organic synthetic methodology which are essential for pharmaceutical research. The most modern synthetic developments of pharmacologically interesting compounds (carbohydrates and nucleotides) as well as important synthetic methods such as combinatorial chemistry, solid-phase reactions, bioassisted organic synthesis and asymmetric synthesis are critically discussed.

Special emphasis is given to a hands-on practical approach which enables researchers to apply the featured methods immediately to their specific problems. Also, the detailed presentation of the topic and the selection of references will be of help to any researcher working in the laboratory.