Woodward's unfinished total synthesis of colchicine, a collaborative prelude

This article describes Robert B. Woodward's unfinished total synthesis of colchicine and the strategy that required a brilliant new beginning in 1959.

Graphical abstractDownload high-res image (221KB)Download full-size imageAccording to Greek mythology the Golden Fleece in the land of Colchis was guarded by the dreaded serpent Chimera [Ref]. In allegory, Woodward's deceptive synthesis of colchicine had to also outwit this treacherous serpent. This article describes Robert B. Woodward's 1959 unfinished synthesis to colchicine from a pyrrole precursor and his strategy that required a brilliant new beginning.Reference: Chimera Apulia Lovuvre K362 by Lampas Group - Jastrow (2006). https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%20Chimera%5fApulia%5fLouvre%5fK362.jpg.