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Preface to the First Edition
Amino carboxylic acids (or just amino acids) are, as a class of organic molecules,
among the most important and useful compounds known. The chemistry of amino
acids has been studied for well over a century. The importance of α-amino acids
[RCH(NH
2
)COOH] in mammalian biology and as synthetic intermediates is well
established and there have been many reviews, several monographs, and thousands of
individual research papers in this area. The synthesis of α-amino acids has also been
the subject of many books and reviews. In addition to α-amino acids, there are many
other amino carboxylic acids where the amino group is ...