Recent advances in the stereoselective synthesis of distal biaxially chiral molecules

• Fanxing Zhou,
• Chen Zhang,
• Lingyu Sun,
• Yiyun Fang,
• Siming Zheng,
• Lina Hu,
• Mengyang Shen,
• Zhen Zhao,
• Wei Xu,
• Yunqiang Sun and
• Zi-Qiang Rong

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2026, 22, 461–479, doi:10.3762/bjoc.22.34

• , overcoming the challenges of steric complexity and dynamic stability to achieve efficient and general construction remains a critical issue. This review summarizes recent advances in the field of distal biaxial chirality, highlighting three major synthetic strategies: direct one-step construction of distal

• axes, it constitutes a bi- or multiaxial chiral system, significantly increasing structural complexity and stereochemical diversity, which endows the molecules with unique functionalities and excellent performance in catalysis, pharmaceuticals [33], and materials science [34]. In 1989, Hayashi

Concept-driven strategies in target-oriented synthesis

• David Yu-Kai Chen,
• Chao Li and
• Yefeng Tang

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2026, 22, 451–454, doi:10.3762/bjoc.22.32

• , a generalized approach can address multiple target classes simultaneously, but typically exhibits reduced efficiency as molecular complexity increases. Integrating elements from both a customized and a generalized approach may represent an “ideal” strategy, although achieving such integration

Cone p-aminocalix[4]arenes enriched with ‘clickable’ alkyne or azide functionalities

• Ilia Korniltsev,
• Vasily Bazhenov,
• Alexander Gorbunov,
• Dmitry Cheshkov,
• Stanislav Bezzubov,
• Vladimir Kovalev and
• Ivan Vatsouro

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2026, 22, 399–415, doi:10.3762/bjoc.22.28

• the spectrum acquisition, nor measuring the spectrum at elevated temperature resulted in a simplification of the spectral pattern, indicating no significant contribution of any slow rotational/conformational motions to the complexity of the spectrum. Similar additional signals were observed in the 1H

• propargylated/2-azidoethylated calixarenes using CuAAC reactions, and the resulting triazolated calixarenes can be further functionalized at their amino groups, including the preparation of self-assembled capsular aggregates of virtually unlimited complexity. General concept of building multifunctional calix[4

Dialkylaminoalkylation of β-ketosulfones via ring-opening of 3-sulfonylpyrrolidines

• Evgeny M. Buev,
• Alexander V. Pavlushin,
• Vladimir S. Moshkin and
• Vyacheslav Y. Sosnovskikh

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2026, 22, 383–389, doi:10.3762/bjoc.22.26

• the fast increase of the molecular complexity, remains significant. Unlike the classical aminoethylation of nucleophilic compounds [28][29], Batey et al. recently developed a two-step approach consisted in addition of terminal ynimides I to various electrophiles with subsequent reduction of the C≡C

Arene activation via π-bond localization: concepts and opportunities

• Paul Meiners,
• Julian J. Melder and
• Tobias Morack

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2026, 22, 257–273, doi:10.3762/bjoc.22.19

• complexity generation. Coordination of transition metals to defined arene π-fragments provides a particularly elegant means of selective activation, yet the widespread adoption of this paradigm has been limited by the scarcity of predictable, catalytic variants. Among the established platforms discussed in

Screwing the helical chirality through terminal peri-functionalization

• Devesh Chandra,
• Sachin and
• Upendra Sharma

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2026, 22, 205–212, doi:10.3762/bjoc.22.14

• , biosensors and other forms of the materials sciences continuing its relevance to cutting edge research [1][2]. However, precise control and manipulation of helical chirality in synthetic systems remain technically challenging. This complexity may have led to underestimation of its potential, as research

Total synthesis of natural products based on hydrogenation of aromatic rings

• Haoxiang Wu and
• Xiangbing Qi

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2026, 22, 88–122, doi:10.3762/bjoc.22.4

• ; Introduction For decades, a principal objective in natural product synthesis has been the development and utilization of efficient methods to access molecular frameworks with defined stereochemical complexity [1]. Natural products, such as taxol [2], strychnine [3][4][5], and tetrodotoxin [6][7][8], which

• hydrogenation feasible, it also increased the complexity of the synthetic route, limiting its suitability for large-scale preparation of 157. Consequently, the authors redirected their efforts toward homogeneous catalytic hydrogenation, a field that has seen rapid progress in recent years. Upon converting 161

Recent advancements in the synthesis of Veratrum alkaloids

• Morwenna Mögel,
• David Berger and
• Philipp Heretsch

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2657–2693, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.206

• functionalization for rapid access to these exceptional alkaloids, while also showcasing the evolution of the art of synthesis and its ability in meeting the demands posed by molecular complexity. Keywords: alkaloid synthesis; convergent synthesis; total synthesis; Veratrum alkaloids; Introduction Veratrum

• embedded in A–E rings, thus, adding to their complexity in total synthesis efforts [9]. This review will cover synthetic approaches from the last decades, showcasing the evolution of Veratrum alkaloids synthesis and by that, providing an impression of the evolution of synthetic methods in general. For a

• group in the sequence to temporarily mask that specific group and its reactivity. The latter are considered undesirable transformations, since they do not contribute to advancing the complexity of the synthetic intermediate toward the target and should therefore be avoided, or at least minimized in use

Isoorotamide-based peptide nucleic acid nucleobases with extended linkers aimed at distal base recognition of adenosine in double helical RNA

• Grant D. Walby,
• Brandon R. Tessier,
• Tristan L. Mabee,
• Jennah M. Hoke,
• Hallie M. Bleam,
• Angelina Giglio-Tos,
• Emily E. Harding,
• Vladislavs Baskevics,
• Martins Katkevics,
• Eriks Rozners and
• James A. MacKay

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2513–2523, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.193

• that add more complexity to triplex formation. Conclusion Overall, three new PNA monomers were synthesized and incorporated into PNA oligonucleotides. Db monomers demonstrated a lack of strong affinity for the U–A base pair in dhRNA. However, selectivity of Db1 and Db3 for the intended U–A base pair

• efficient binding and further underscore the complexity of these systems due to conformational and energetic preferences. Taken together with previous studies, we postulate that future nucleobases should be designed to overcome the positional challenges related to entropy and geometry. (a) Structure of a

Comparative analysis of complanadine A total syntheses

• Reem Al-Ahmad and
• Mingji Dai

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2334–2344, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.178

• ; Introduction Natural products, owing to their structural complexity, diversity, and therapeutic potential, have continued to serve as inspirations for the development of novel synthetic methodologies and strategies. In turn, these methodological and strategic advancements have significantly improved the

A m-quaterphenyl probe for absolute configurational assignments of primary and secondary amines

• Yuka Takeuchi,
• Mutsumi Kobayashi,
• Yuuka Gotoh,
• Mari Ikeda,
• Yoichi Habata,
• Tomohiko Shirai and
• Shunsuke Kuwahara

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2211–2219, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.168

• ]. However, its use in the analysis of chiral amines has been restricted, largely due to the complexity arising from their conformational flexibility [3]. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy offers a highly sensitive technique for stereochemical analysis at the microgram scale [4][5][6]. In particular

• amines. In this work, we report that the method was applied to chiral amino alcohols and amino acid esters. We also applied the method to chiral secondary amines, for which it is generally difficult to determine the absolute configuration due to the conformational complexity of their derivatives [33]. By

Bioinspired total syntheses of natural products: a personal adventure

• Zhengyi Qin,
• Yuting Yang,
• Nuran Yan,
• Xinyu Liang,
• Zhiyu Zhang,
• Yaxuan Duan,
• Huilin Li and
• Xuegong She

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2048–2061, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.160

• , people began to be aware of the capability of mankind in making natural organic molecules. Since then, organic scientists are brave to challenge the complex organic structure of natural products given by nature [2][3][4][5]. To achieve the growing structural complexity of natural products, the synthetic

• ] (Figure 1). The bioinspired total synthesis literally showed the great power to gain complexity. In the 21st century, biomimetic or bioinspired synthesis has been widely realized as a powerful concept approach to natural product total synthesis, and a lot of total synthetic works of this kind have been

• reported. A bioinspired approach represents many advantages to bring benefits to total synthesis. It could rapidly achieve complexity of the target molecule from a much simpler precursor in diverse forms of transformations such as cascade reaction, cycloaddition, and C–H functionalization, thereby, shorten

Research progress on calixarene/pillararene-based controlled drug release systems

• Liu-Huan Yi,
• Jian Qin,
• Si-Ran Lu,
• Liu-Pan Yang,
• Li-Li Wang and
• Huan Yao

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1757–1785, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.139

Approaches to stereoselective 1,1'-glycosylation

• Daniele Zucchetta and
• Alla Zamyatina

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1700–1718, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.133

• applications. The assembly of nonreducing 1,1′-linked disaccharides presents greater challenges than conventional chemical glycosylation due to the need for simultaneous control of stereochemistry at two anomeric centers. The structural complexity of natural biomolecules entailing 1,1′-disaccharides, which

• donor 79 was employed in the glycosylation reaction with anomeric lactol 119 (used in 2-fold excess to compensate for its 50% content of the undesirable α-anomer), the β,β-1,1'-linked disaccharide 120 was obtained, albeit in moderate yield due to the complexity of separating it from reaction components

Continuous-flow-enabled intensification in nitration processes: a review of technological developments and practical applications over the past decade

• Feng Zhou,
• Chuansong Duanmu,
• Yanxing Li,
• Jin Li,
• Haiqing Xu,
• Pan Wang and
• Kai Zhu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1678–1699, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.132

• nitration degree, with excess nitric acid driving reactivity at the cost of post-treatment complexity. Simultaneously, the molar ratio of H2SO4/HNO3 (usually 1.0–4.0) modulates acid strength and catalytic activity, necessitating effective balancing to optimize nitronium iongeneration efficiency while

• and presents significant mathematical complexity when dealing with intricate reaction systems. Long-term operation stability/stress testing: Ensuring long-term operational stability is a critical requirement for the practical implementation of continuous-flow nitration processes, particularly given

• kinetically controlled. In nitration reaction kinetics studies across liquid–liquid biphasic systems (types A–C), the complexity of kinetics studies increases progressively from type A to type C, while their applicability expands correspondingly. Kinetics models derived from type A systems are typically

Recent advances in amidyl radical-mediated photocatalytic direct intermolecular hydrogen atom transfer

• Hao-Sen Wang,
• Lin Li,
• Xin Chen,
• Jian-Li Wu,
• Kai Sun,
• Xiao-Lan Chen,
• Ling-Bo Qu and
• Bing Yu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1306–1323, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.100

• substrates. Keywords: amidyl radicals; C–H; HAT reagents; hydrogen-atom-transfer; late-stage functionalization; Introduction C–H bonds are the predominant chemical bonds in organic compounds, and their direct conversion can rapidly and efficiently increase the complexity and functionality of organic

Recent advances in oxidative radical difunctionalization of N-arylacrylamides enabled by carbon radical reagents

• Jiangfei Chen,
• Yi-Lin Qu,
• Ming Yuan,
• Xiang-Mei Wu,
• Heng-Pei Jiang,
• Ying Fu and
• Shengrong Guo

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1207–1271, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.98

Enhancing chemical synthesis planning: automated quantum mechanics-based regioselectivity prediction for C–H activation with directing groups

• Julius Seumer,
• Nicolai Ree and
• Jan H. Jensen

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1171–1182, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.94

• molecular architectures in pharmaceuticals, polymers, and agrochemicals. Despite advancements in directing group (DG) methodologies and computational approaches, predicting accurate regioselectivity in C–H activation poses significant difficulties due to the diversity and complexity of organic compounds

A convergent synthetic approach to the tetracyclic core framework of khayanolide-type limonoids

• Zhiyang Zhang,
• Jialei Hu,
• Hanfeng Ding,
• Li Zhang and
• Peirong Rao

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 926–934, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.75

• as compelling targets for both therapeutic development and agrochemical innovation. Furthermore, limonoids are also renowned for their extraordinary structural complexity. For instance, the phragmalin-type limonoids represent a significant category of highly oxygenated rearranged limonoids, which

Orthogonal photoswitching of heterobivalent azobenzene glycoclusters: the effect of glycoligand orientation in bacterial adhesion

• Leon M. Friedrich and
• Thisbe K. Lindhorst

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 736–748, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.57

• bivalent azobenzene glycosides 1 and 2 in the various isomeric states (EE, EZ, ZE, and ZZ) and the lectin FimH reach a complexity which obscures the effect of azo group isomerization. (iv) Calculated binding energies for the highest affinity isomers of 1 and 2, respectively, (−107.61 and −96.22 kcal mol−1

Origami with small molecules: exploiting the C–F bond as a conformational tool

• Patrick Ryan,
• Ramsha Iftikhar and
• Luke Hunter

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 680–716, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.54

• , conformations in which the two C–F bonds are aligned gauche will be favoured in water due to their high molecular dipole moment. A final layer of complexity is afforded by the stereochemistry of the 1,2-difluoroalkane motif: the various conformational factors described above will aggregate differently depending

• that features both an ester moiety and an amino group will be discussed later, in section 5 of this review [112]. 4 Sugars We have examined several classes of molecules of gradually increasing complexity, progressing from alkanes (section 1) to ethers (section 2) and then alcohols (section 3

Photocatalyzed elaboration of antibody-based bioconjugates

• Marine Le Stum,
• Eugénie Romero and
• Gary A. Molander

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 616–629, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.49

• stability, and/or a shorter ADC half-life [14]. Optimization of the drug/antibody ratio (DAR) and payload distribution/location thus becomes significant for ideal ADC design. Given the complexity of biological macromolecules, there are inherent limitations in terms of the types of reactions that can be used

• remains largely unexplored. This is primarily because of the structural complexity of antibodies, which exhibit a three-dimensional architecture and numerous potential modification sites, making selective control of functionalization sites challenging. Nonetheless, photocatalytic approaches offer a unique

• demonstrates the potency of photoinduced methods to access more homogeneous ADCs, hopefully reducing patient side effects. In summary, photoredox modifications of antibodies have gained attention in recent years, though the field is still in its early stages because of the complexity of antibody structures

Formaldehyde surrogates in multicomponent reactions

• Cecilia I. Attorresi,
• Javier A. Ramírez and
• Bernhard Westermann

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 564–595, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.45

• the MCR product is possible thus increasing the versatility of these reactions in terms of structural diversity and molecular complexity. In this context, a wide variety of heterocycles and macrocycles as important biological scaffolds have been synthesized [6]. One of the most important components

Beyond symmetric self-assembly and effective molarity: unlocking functional enzyme mimics with robust organic cages

• Keith G. Andrews

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 421–443, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.30

• quickly identified the triptycenyl-based imine cages of Mastalerz [301] as a strong starting point because: (i) they offered efficient, modular assembly; (ii) all of the complexity could be confined to the privileged triptycene motifs, which would present rigid internal vectors into the cavity for

The effect of neighbouring group participation and possible long range remote group participation in O-glycosylation

• Rituparna Das and
• Balaram Mukhopadhyay

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 369–406, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.27

• enzymatic protocols and thus, glycoscientists mostly rely on chemical glycosylation to achieve complex oligosaccharide targets. However, chemical glycosylation remains to be a highly complex, ubiquitous and non-templated process for the synthetic chemists [19]. The inherent structural complexity of the

• glycoside 8 (Scheme 1). Glycosylation is considered as the most crucial step in any oligosaccharide synthesis, although it may be argued that, building block preparations or final deprotection steps remain equally demanding. The main challenge of glycosylation lies in the structural complexity of the

• [48]. The review will primarily be referring to axial or α-glycosides as 1,2-cis glycosides except for mannosides where the term β-mannosides will be used for 1,2-cis-mannoside configuration, respecting the complexity and novelty they bring to the world of synthetic glycochemistry. The spanning of the