Cover Picture: Total Synthesis Confirms Laetirobin as a Formal Diels–Alder Adduct (Chem. Asian J. 2/2010)

Natural productlaetirobin, isolated from a parasitic fungus host–plant relationship, is synthesized in six practical steps with an overall yield of 12 % from commercially available 2,4‐dihydroxyacetophenone. M. J. Lear et al. provide preliminary structure–activity relationship data between the isomeric [4+2] and [5+2] tetramers that reveal that only the natural product possesses promising anticancer potential. Specifically, laetirobin is capable of blocking tumor cell division (mitosis) and invoking programmed cell death (apoptosis). For further details, turn to their Full Paper on page 342 ff.