C&EN editors’ annual round-up of spectacular molecules we’ve covered in the past year

Photochemistry and total synthesis are deeply rooted in the history of organic chemistry, each developing independently while also intersecting frequently. Indeed, mild reaction conditions, versatility of transformations, and complementary selectivities to thermal methods make photochemistry an especially powerful tool for the synthesis of complex target molecules. In this Review, we highlight recent examples of total syntheses (from 2020 to 2025) featuring photochemical reactions as pivotal steps. Although the application of photochemistry in total synthesis has been consistently reviewed throughout the past decades, we feel that the wider emergence of photocatalytic methods, together with the continued importance of certain direct irradiation approaches, warrants its own discussion. We hope that our analytical approach and strategic insights will help us to identify cases where photochemical reactions could prove useful, thereby further encouraging their use in total syntheses.

The first total synthesis of lappaceolides A and B is achieved in two steps by using a biomimetic vinylogous-Michael–oxa-Michael domino reaction. The domino reaction proceeds with Cs2CO3 in 1,2-DCE at...

Herein, the development of the first total synthesis of the Ganoderma meroterpenoid ganoapplanin is presented. Insights from unsuccessful approaches guide the design of an efficient route centered on....

The School of Chemistry invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position to work under the supervision of Prof. Andrew Lawrence on a project funded by the Leverhulme Trust. The succ...

PhD Project - Machine Learning-Guided Synthetic Strategies for Natural Product Synthesis at University of Edinburgh, listed on FindAPhD.com

We are looking for multiple assistant professors to join our department

Activation of N,N-dichlorocarbamates with blue light facilitates a direct 1,2-aminochlorination of unactivated olefins to yield 1,2-chloro-N-Cl-carbamates under ambient conditions. Mechanistic studies...