Sulfonium compounds have been known to the organic chemist for almost 90 years. During most of this period they remained curiosities, well suited for didactic purposes to illustrate certain similarities to ether adducts and to organic ammonium compounds. Their exploration remained largely in the academic realm, because no unusual practical applications were found in spite of a steady increase in the attention paid to them. An event that occasionally puts a class of compounds into the center of interest is the recognition of its occurrence in nature and of special biological significance. The first natural sulfonium compound was discovered less than 20 years ago, somewhat by chance rather than as the climax of some coveted biochemical problem. Gradually, however, the unique role of sulfonium compounds, especially of S-adenosyl­ methionine, in enzymatic group transfer reactions such as trans­ methylation was recognized, and the recent upsurge of interest has been exceptional. The present review is directed toward an interpretation of the properties and functions of biological sulfonium compounds with frequent reference to their structural chemistry. The data presented here may suggest novel or improved analytical techniques and new interpretations of the mechanism of group transfer. Furthermore, a stimulus may be derived for the design of sulfonium compound analogues. The availability of competitive analogues of biochemical key compounds has aided in the understanding of the function of virtually all metabolic intermediates, prosthetic groups of enzymes, vitamins, amino acids, and other compounds. The pattern will be similar in sulfonium biochemistry.

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- Table des matières.- Polysaccharides of Marine Algae.- I. Introduction.- II. Skeletal Polysaccharides of the Algal Cell-Wall.- III. Food Reserve Polysaccharides.- IV. Polysaccharides Containing Sulphate Esters.- V. Alginic Acid.- References.- Der Kohlenhydratstoffwechsel in Gerste, Hafer und Rispenhirse.- I. Die löslichen Kohlenhydrate in der Gerste und ihre Konstitution.- II. Die löslichen Kohlenhydrate im Hafer und ihre Konstitution.- III. Die löslichen Kohlenhydrate in der Rispenhirse und ihre Konstitution.- IV. Die enzymatische Steuerung des Kohlenhydratstoffwechsels in den Getreidearten.- V. Zur Geschichte der Kultur der Getreidearten.- The Chemistry of Biological Sulfonium Compounds..- I. Introduction.- II. The Discovery of Sulfonium Compounds.- III. The Chemistry of Sulfonium Compounds.- IV. In vitro Synthesis and Properties of Biological Sulfonium Compounds.- V. Origin and Metabolism of Biological Sulfonium Compounds.- VI. Metabolic Functions of Biological Sulfonium Compounds.- VII. Derivatives and Analogues of Biological Sulfonium Compounds.- References.- Some Aspects of the Chemistry and Function of Human and Animal Hemoglobins..- I. Introduction.- II. Nomenclature.- III. The Amino Acid Sequence of Human Hemoglobins A and F.- IV. Other Hemoglobins in the Normal Human Individual.- V. The Abnormal Human Hemoglobins.- VI Animal Hemoglobins.- VII. Hemoglobin in Three Dimensions.- VIII. Chemical Modifications of Hemoglobin.- IX. Reversible Dissociation and Subunit Hybridization of Hemoglobin.- X. The Biosynthesis of Hemoglobin.- References.- Kollagen.- I. Einleitung.- II. Übersicht.- III. Aminosäurezusammensetzung.- IV. Primärstruktur.- V. Sekundär- und Tertiärstruktur.- VI. Zerfall und Rückbildung der Sekundär- und Tertiärstruktur (De- undRenaturierung).- VII. Bau und Bildung der Fibrillen und Segmente (Quartärstrukturen).- VIII. Stoffwechsel des Kollagens.- Some Applications of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Natural Product Chemistry.- I. Introduction.- II. Principles of Application.- III. Examples in Natural Product Chemistry.- References.- Namenverzeichnis. Index of Names. Index des Auteurs.- Sachverzeichnis. Index of Subjects. Index des Matières.