Sequencing the human genome represents a culmination, of sorts, of this type of chemical reductionism. After all, the human genome is nothing more (and nothing less) than a statement about how carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and phosphorus atoms are bonded together in the organic molecules that we inherit.

Traditionally, however, chemists complemented deconstruction with a second theme: synthesis. After determining the structure of a new natural product, organic chemists made some more of it. At first, chemists used synthesis simply to prove that the structure proposed for their natural product was correct. Over time, however, synthesis became a struggle that pits the wits of chemists against increasingly complex natural products. The struggle forced chemists to discover things about molecules. Perhaps best known are the observations made during the total synthesis of vitamin B12 that led to the Woodward–Hoffman rules of orbital symmetry, recognized by the Nobel Prize in 1981.

Enjoying our latest content?
Log in or create an account to continue

  • Access the most recent journalism from Nature's award-winning team
  • Explore the latest features & opinion covering groundbreaking research
Access through your institution

or

Sign in or create an account
Continue with Google
Continue with ORCiD