Klaus Naumann

The idea of Volums 4 and 5 of this series is a combination of a very condensed but broad review, handbook and textbook on most of the theoretical and practical aspects of pyrethroids of interest to chemists, biologists, pharmacologists, toxicologists and other people involved in insecticidal research, development, ecotoxicolo­ gy, application, patenting and commercialization of pyrethroids, as seen from a point of view of an industrial chemist once actively in volved in pyrethroid research. In order to provide a mode1 data base for testing quantitative structure activity relationships, the unique wealth of the numerous and diverse biological data dispersed in the literature is listed in about 110 tables, put in relation to each other and other standard compounds, together with many structural formulas of the com­ pounds involved. A number of data are published for the first time. Some of the more important reeent QSAR-studies are briefly acknowledged. Conformational aspects of bioactive pyrethroids are discussed (from synthesis, QSAR, X-ray); some of the X-ray derived conformations are published for the first time. The molecular basis of pyrethroid biological action is taken into consideration as intensively as possible. Stereochemical aspects are considered wherever they are involved in synthesis, biological activity, mode of action, metabolism (Vol. 4), and particularly in the complex problems in the production and relation of iso­ merically enriched trade products (Vol. 5). Since pyrethroid research is now, in manyaspeets, a finished chapter of applied research, a historieal treatment of the course of inventions is given (inventions, patent priorities).

Chemistry of Plant Protection continues the handbook "Chemie der Pflanzenschutz- und Schadlingsbekampfungsmittel", edited by R. Wegler. Volumes 4 and 5 of the series provide the first complete and in depth overview of synthetic pyrethroid insecticides . Volume 5 presents a detailed survey of the numerous synthetic methods (270 reaction schemes) and of stereochemical aspects of trade products, and a compilation of almost every patent on pyrethroids (2700 references evaluated).

A hero to the German people of the Third Reich and widely respected by his opponents, Rommel proved himself highly adept at Blitzkrieg warfare. Both in France and North Africa he consistently outwitted his opponents through his ability to sense the weak spot in his enemy's deployment and the pace at which he conducted his operations. Rommel was a master of the "cut and thrust" of desert warfare, especially in his talent to quickly seize the initiative. Rommel's serious wounding in France came just three days before the aborted attempt on Hitler's life. In the witch hunt that followed Rommel came under suspicion of being involved on the plot. In the end he was given the difficult choice of committing suicide or of being put on trial and thus endangering the lives of his beloved wife and son. He took the honourable way out and, with a cynicism that characterized the Nazi regime, was given a state funeral.