Strategies and Advances in the Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Products

Li-Jun Hu; Zhi-Zhang Duan; Ying Wang; Wen-Cai Ye; Chun-Tao Che

doi:10.1016/j.eng.2024.12.013

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Engineering ›› 2025, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (1) : 30-36. DOI: 10.1016/j.eng.2024.12.013

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Strategies and Advances in the Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Products

Li-Jun Hu^a^,^b^,^c ,
Zhi-Zhang Duan^a^,^b^,^c ,
Ying Wang^a^,^b^,^c^,^* ,
Wen-Cai Ye^a^,^b^,^c^,^* ,
Chun-Tao Che^d^,^*

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Abstract

Natural products, with their remarkable structural and biological diversity, have historically served as a vital bridge between chemistry, the life sciences, and medicine. They not only provide essential scaffolds for drug discovery but also inspire innovative strategies in drug development. The biomimetic synthesis of natural products employs principles from biomimicry, applying inspiration from biogenetic processes to design synthetic strategies that mimic biosynthetic processes. Biomimetic synthesis is a highly efficient approach in synthetic chemistry, as it addresses critical challenges in the synthesis of structurally complex natural products with significant biological and medicinal importance. It has gained widespread attention from researchers in chemistry, biology, pharmacy, and related fields, underscoring its interdisciplinary impact. In this perspective, we present recent advances and challenges in the biomimetic synthesis of natural products, along with the significance and prospects of this field, highlighting the transformative potential of biomimetic synthesis strategies for both chemical and biosynthetic approaches to natural product synthesis in the pursuit of novel therapeutic agents.

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Natural products / Natural product synthesis / Biomimetic synthesis / Biomimetic synthesis strategy

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Li-Jun Hu, Zhi-Zhang Duan, Ying Wang, Wen-Cai Ye, Chun-Tao Che. Strategies and Advances in the Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Products. Engineering, 2025, 44(1): 30‒36 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eng.2024.12.013

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