Editorial [Hot Topic: Catalysis/Natural Product Chemistry (Guest Editor: Massimo Curini)]

The 2008 Catalysis/Natural Product Chemistry Issue of Current Organic Chemistry contains six contributions from eminent scientists in different field. Professor Adamo summarise the state of art in the synthesis and medicinal properties of 2-deoxyribose- and ribose-Cnucleosides which represent an important class of potential therapeutic agents. Prof. Balme of the University of Lyon provides an article about the preparation of natural lignans and related natural products using transition-metal-catalysed reaction. The review focuses some aspects of the chemistry of transition-metal catalysts applied to the preparation of the title compounds. Palladium-catalysed reactions using ultrasound or microwave irradiaton have been reviewed by Cravotto and coworkers. The non-conventional activation tools in this type of reactions represent an important contribution to the organic synthesis and suggest a reconsideration of some method catalyzed processes. Prof. Enev and coworkers provide an overview of recent results concerning the use of Quinic Acid as chiral pool in organic synthesis. Commercially available Quinic Acid has been used for the preparation of different classes of natural products and represents a versatile starting material for the asymmetric synthesis of chiral compounds. Recent advances in the design and application of ruthenium olefin methathesis catalyst have been reported by Grela and Szadkowska. Some aspects of this type of Chemistry and their application in methathesis reactions including polymerization have been reported. Finally Cosimo Pizza and coworkers provide an overview of secondary metabolites from Solenostemma argel Hayne (Asclepiadonaceae) with antiproliferative activity. This plant contains pregnane and 14,15-secopregnane glycosides with a very unusual structure. I would like to express my sincere thanks to all authors for providing these articles and for the fascinating results reported.