Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2025
11:42
Solid Phase Synthesis of a Functionalized Bis-Peptide Using "Safety Catch" Methodology
Published on: May 15, 2012
24.8K
Natural product anticipation through synthesis
Belinda E Hetzler1, Dirk Trauner1, Andrew L Lawrence2
1Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
Nature Reviews. Chemistry
|February 7, 2023
Summary
Chemists are increasingly synthesizing natural products before they are discovered in nature. This review explores "natural product anticipation," where lab synthesis drives discovery and collaboration.
Area of Science:
- Organic Chemistry
- Natural Product Chemistry
Background:
- Natural product synthesis has evolved from structure confirmation to demonstrating synthetic capabilities.
- Current justifications include methodology development and showcasing synthetic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review instances where natural product synthesis preceded isolation.
- To highlight the concept of 'natural product anticipation' in chemistry.
Main Methods:
- Surveying literature for cases of synthetic anticipation of natural products.
- Analyzing examples where synthesis guided isolation or occurred independently.
Main Results:
- Identified cases where laboratory synthesis of a compound preceded its isolation from natural sources.
- Documented instances where synthetic anticipation led to successful natural product discovery.
- Highlighted potential natural product structures proposed by synthesis but not yet isolated.
Conclusions:
- Natural product anticipation is a growing and fascinating aspect of chemical synthesis.
- Synthesis can actively guide and accelerate the discovery of new natural products.
- Encourages interdisciplinary collaboration between synthetic and natural product chemists.
Related Concept Videos
02:27Predicting Products: SN1 vs. SN2
13.7K
Nucleophilic substitution reactions of alkyl halides can proceed via an SN1 or an SN2 mechanism. While in SN2 reactions, the nucleophile attacks the substrate simultaneously as the leaving group departs, in SN1 reactions, the substrate first dissociates to give the carbocation intermediate. Various factors such as the structure of the substrate, the strength of the nucleophile, and the nature of the solvent promote one mechanism over the other.
With increased substitution on the alkyl halide,...
With increased substitution on the alkyl halide,...
13.7K
01:28Preparation of 1° Amines: Gabriel Synthesis
3.7K
Direct alkylation is not a suitable method for synthesizing amines because it produces polyalkylated products. Gabriel synthesis is the most preferred method to exclusively make primary amines. The method uses phthalimide, which contains a protected form of nitrogen that participates in alkylation only once to predominantly give primary amines.
Strong bases like NaOH or KOH deprotonate the phthalimide to form the corresponding anion, which acts as a nucleophile. Further, the anion attacks an...
Strong bases like NaOH or KOH deprotonate the phthalimide to form the corresponding anion, which acts as a nucleophile. Further, the anion attacks an...
3.7K
01:26Synthesis of α-Substituted Carbonyl Compounds: The Stork Enamine Reaction
3.5K
α-Substituted ketones or aldehydes can be synthesized from enamines by the Stork enamine reaction, named after its pioneer Gilbert Stork. Enamines are useful synthetic intermediates where the lone pair on nitrogen is in conjugation with the C=C bond. They resemble enolate ions, as the resonance forms of both species have a nucleophilic α carbon.
3.5K
01:26Drug Discovery: Overview
8.2K
Drug discovery is a multifaceted process involving extensive screening, testing, and optimization of lead compounds to identify potential new drugs for therapeutic use. It combines several approaches, including screening large numbers of natural products, chemical modification of known active molecules, identification of new drug targets, and rational design based on biological mechanisms and drug-receptor structure. These approaches are carried out in both academic research laboratories and...
8.2K
01:28ATP and Macromolecule Synthesis
5.7K
Biological macromolecules are organic compounds, predominantly composed of carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are covalently bonded with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and other minor elements. There are four major biological macromolecule classes: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
Most macromolecules are composed of single subunits, or building blocks, called monomers. The monomers combine with each other using covalent bonds to form larger molecules known as polymers.
Conversion of...
Most macromolecules are composed of single subunits, or building blocks, called monomers. The monomers combine with each other using covalent bonds to form larger molecules known as polymers.
Conversion of...
5.7K
02:55Synthetic Biology
4.9K
Synthetic biology is an interdisciplinary science that involves using principles from disciplines such as engineering, molecular biology, cell biology, and systems biology. It involves remodeling existing organisms from nature or constructing completely new synthetic organisms for applications such as protein or enzyme production, bioremediation, value-added macromolecule production, and the addition of desirable traits to crops, to name a few.
Golden rice
Golden rice is a genetically modified...
Golden rice
Golden rice is a genetically modified...
4.9K