This book presents a range of research on important topics in the field. Of the approximately 11 million known chemical compounds, about 10 million are organic. Organic chemists are currently working to produce better polymers with specific properties, such as biodegradable plastics. The understanding of new drug structures from plants and the synthesis of improved pharmaceuticals is another area of great interest. Organic chemists are also researching the reactions that occur in living systems and understanding the molecular causes of disease.