This volume entitled “Bisindole Alkaloids from Catharanthus roseus
(L.),” commonly called Vinca alkaloids, Catharanthus alkaloids, or dimeric
Vinca alkaloids, was written by a group of internationally known
experts. It provides for the first time, a comprehensive view of the basic
chemistry, biogenesis, synthesis, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology,
and medical uses of these important antitumor agents. Because of the
complex structures of the alkaloids, the transformations within the basic
series, such as the medicinal chemistry, are best presented using the
Chemical Abstracts numbering system, while the transformations between
series, as in the total synthesis, are presented using the biosynthetic
numbering system. We apologize if the reader finds the exposure
to two numbering systems confusing.
This treatise is a companion work to Volume 25 of this series entitled
“Antitumor Alkaloids,” which covers all classes except the bisindole alkaloids
presented here.