Lessons from the synthetic chemist nature

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Organic Chemistry
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Nature employs efficient multistep synthesis strategies.
• Efficiency in synthesis relies on factors beyond simple step and redox economy.
• Short-lived intermediates are crucial for natural synthesis pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review ideal multistep synthesis inspired by natural processes.
• To explore nature's strategies for efficient intermediate processing.
• To connect natural synthesis mechanisms to modern chemical synthesis.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual review of natural synthesis strategies.
• Analysis of multicatalysis, domino reactions, iteration, and compartmentation.
• Examination of compartmentation in natural systems and flow synthesis.

Main Results:

• Steady-state processing of short-lived intermediates is key to efficiency.
• Nature utilizes multicatalysis, domino reactions, iteration, and compartmentation.
• Compartmentation in nature (organelles, scaffolds) parallels its use in flow synthesis.

Conclusions:

• Nature's synthetic strategies offer valuable insights for chemical synthesis.
• Compartmentation is a powerful strategy applicable to multistep flow synthesis.
• Adopting nature's principles can enhance the efficiency of chemical processes.