Total Synthesis as a Vehicle for Collaboration.

Area of Science:

• Organic Chemistry
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Total synthesis is often perceived as competitive, not collaborative.
• Recent advances are fostering interdisciplinary collaborations in complex molecule synthesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight recent collaborative efforts in total synthesis.
• To showcase the integration of diverse scientific fields in complex molecule synthesis.
• To discuss the historical context of collaboration in total synthesis.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent literature on collaborative total synthesis projects.
• Analysis of the integration of synthetic methodology, biocatalysis, biosynthesis, computational chemistry, and drug discovery.
• Discussion of specific case studies including chlorolissoclimide, nigelladine A, artemisinin, ingenol, hippolachnin A, communesin A, and citrinalin B.
• Historical review of the Woodward-Eschenmoser collaboration on vitamin B12 synthesis.

Main Results:

• Successful collaborative syntheses of complex natural products demonstrate the power of interdisciplinary approaches.
• Integration of diverse techniques enhances efficiency and scope in total synthesis.
• Historical collaborations, like that for vitamin B12, laid the groundwork for modern efforts.

Conclusions:

• Collaboration is a growing and vital trend in modern total synthesis.
• Interdisciplinary approaches are crucial for tackling complex molecular targets.
• The future of total synthesis lies in strategic, collaborative endeavors.