The art and science of constructing the of nature

mbedded within this issue of product synthesis withstood the test of from Troy, provide wonderful opportu- PNAS is a Special Feature* time as an enabling and rewarding sci- nities for discoveries and inventions and comprising 3 Perspectives and ence and technology, not to mention its ideal arenas to educate and train young 25 research articles dealing with attractiveness as an intellectual and cre- practitioners of the art of synthesis. The theE theme of synthesis— ative endeavor offering opportunities for fundamental and ubiquitous nature of the art and science of constructing the discovery and invention. this art in so many disciplines, including molecules of nature in the laboratory. Although the theme of natural prod- biology, and the and de- The birth of this discipline coincides uct synthesis is attracting a lively interest velopment process underscore the im- with the synthesis of urea by Friedrich in research laboratories around the portance of both advancing the field for Wo¨hler from ammonium cyanate in world today, the reasons for practicing it its own sake and educating new genera- 1828, because this compound is a natu- vary. A synthetic may wish to tions of synthetic . rally occurring substance. Besides giving exploit the opportunity that a challeng- Given the centrality and importance birth to , that landmark ing molecular architecture presents for of the field of natural product synthesis event served to ‘‘demystify’’ nature by the discovery and invention of new syn- as articulated above, it is not surprising burying, once and for all, the myth that thetic strategies and methods to be used that endeavors in con- the synthesis of nature’s molecules is her in a wider range of applications. An- tinue to lure some of the most talented exclusive domain. These days, the disci- other practitioner may wish to produce

SPECIAL FEATURE: EDITORIAL organic chemists of our times as they pline of natural product synthesis, both a scarce, but biologically intriguing, nat- did in generations past. To be sure, this total and partial (), is an ural product in larger quantities for fur- field will continue to excite, enable, and important field of investigation whose ther extensive biological investigations ͞ reward as we move forward in the 21st dividends stretch from new scientific and or medicinal applications. And, to century, because a myriad of intriguing knowledge to practical applications. the extent that a natural substance of molecules from nature still remains to Considered by many as the flagship of some potential application can be syn- be discovered. And, when they are, they organic synthesis, natural product syn- thesized in the laboratory, or the chemi- will hopefully stimulate new campaigns thesis symbolizes the power of chemical cal , in a more cost-effective that will inevitably lead to further sharp- synthesis at any given time and defines process than the one entailing its extrac- ening of the enabling tool of chemical its scope and limitations. It also serves tion from nature, its use becomes eco- synthesis as we strive to mimic nature in to sharpen the tool of nomically more feasible and desirable. its elegance and efficiency. by attempting to push its frontiers into Yet another synthetic chemist may be The impressive collection of Perspec- higher molecular complexity, diversity, interested in applying his or her skills tives and research articles in this issue of and efficiency. and developed synthetic technologies to PNAS demonstrates both the power and The field of natural product synthesis tweak the structure of a natural product value of natural product synthesis as has been recognized with the Nobel for the purposes of enhancing its po- outlined above. Because of the impor- Prize in with constant period- tency or improving its selectivity and tance of natural products in chemistry, icity over the entire history of the physical and chemical properties. Such biology, and medicine, the theme of award. Included among these prizes are endeavors often lead to superior phar- natural product synthesis seems most those given to E. Fischer (in 1902; for macological properties than those his work on sugar and purine syntheses), possessed by the natural products them- appropriate for highlighting in a multi- H. Fischer (in 1930; for his researches selves in terms of efficacy and safety. disciplinary journal such as PNAS. into the constitution of haemin and And, as surprising as this may sound K. C. Nicolaou, chlorophyll and especially for his synthe- these days, the chemical synthesis of a Special Feature Editor sis of haemin), R. Robinson (in 1947; natural product still provides the abso- for his investigations on plant products lute proof of the assigned structure, for of biological importance, especially the the recent literature abounds with revi- *Natural Product Synthesis is one in a continuing series of ), R. B. Woodward (in 1965; sions of structures of natural products Special Features. Themes of previous features have in- cluded: ; Sustainable Develop- for his outstanding achievements in the whose originally isolated minute quanti- ment; and, most recently, Asymmetric . Scheduled art of organic synthesis), and E. J. Co- ties complicated their characterization. for future issues are Chemical Theory and Computations; rey (in 1990; for his development of the Finally, there are those who will proudly Long-Range Electron Transfer; and Molecular Electronics. theory and methodology of organic syn- and bravely proclaim that they enter One objective of these Special Features is to enhance the journal’s ongoing initiative to expand its coverage of the thesis). These days, the field appears as total synthesis campaigns for the intel- physical and social sciences. PNAS continues to encourage vigorous as ever, and its future looks as lectual challenge and sheer excitement and welcome contributions of research articles in all areas promising as its past has been reward- of the endeavor. Such synthetic odys- of the natural and social sciences, as well as mathematics. ing. There are many reasons why natural seys, like Odysseus’ journey to Ithaca © 2004 by The National Academy of Sciences of the USA

11928 ͉ PNAS ͉ August 17, 2004 ͉ vol. 101 ͉ no. 33 www.pnas.org͞cgi͞doi͞10.1073͞pnas.0405104101 Downloaded by guest on September 26, 2021