THE INVENTION OF CHEMICAL-REACTIONS OF RELEVANCE TO THE CHEMISTRY OF NATURAL-PRODUCTS

New reagents and reactions for use in the chemistry of Natural Products can be invented and not just discovered by hazard. First, we must recognize a reaction that would be important synthetically, but which does not yet exist in a satisfactory form. Thus, the reaction proposed either does not exist, or if it does, is carried out under harsh conditions and is non-selective. Poor yields, uneconomic reagents and lack of stereoselectivity are other factors that spur invention. Thus, one has only to read the great syntheses of the day and ask for the yield, the conditions, the cost and the stereoselectivity at each step. It is a rare academic synthesis that does not have a weak step. It is even more unusual that new reagents or reactions are presented to alleviate the defects. Some modest efforts to help will be presented.