This is the long awaited sequel to Classics in Total Synthesis, a book that has made its mark as a superb tool for educating students and practitioners alike in the art of organic synthesis since its introduction in 1996. In this highly welcomed new volume, K. C. Nicolaou and Scott A. Snyder discuss in detail the most impressive accomplishments in natural product total synthesis during the 1990s and the first years of the 21st century. While all of the features that made the first volume of Classics so popular and unique as a teaching tool have been maintained, in this new treatise the authors seek to present the latest techniques and advances in organic synthesis as they beautifully describe the works of some of the most renowned synthetic organic chemists of our time. Develops domino reactions, cascade sequences, biomimetic strategies, and asymmetric catalysis are systematically through the chosen synthesis Discusses the latest synthetic technologies in terms of mechanism and scope Includes new reactions, such as olefin metathesis, in mini-review style Abundant references for further reading CD with useful teaching material for lecturers is included with hardback version (ISBN 3-527-30685-4) Graduate students, educators, and researchers in the fields of synthetic and medicinal chemistry will wish to have a copy of this book in their collection as an indispensable companion that both augments and supplements the original Classics in Total Synthesis.
From reviews of "Classics in Total Synthesis":

.,." a volume, (..) which any chemist with an interest in synthetic organic chemistry will wish to acquire."
"JACS"

.,."this superb book (..) will be an essential purchase formany organic chemists."
"Nature"

K.C. Nicolaou - Winner of the Nemitsas Prize 2014 in Chemistry Retaining his excellent, proven approach, world-famous chemist and passionate teacher K.C. Nicolaou compiles here the important strategies and tools employed to construct complex molecules. For a total of 42 syntheses of 25 challenging natural products he explains all the key steps of the synthetic pathway, highlighting the major developments in blue-boxed sections for easier understanding, and contrasting these to other synthetic methods. Similar to its predecessors and completing the trilogy, this textbook analyzes the syntheses in a didactic manner, with several chapters including mini-reviews of key methodologies, and an emphasis on the history, mechanism, scope, and generality of the reactions. In contrast to the first two volumes, this new one features full-color frontispieces. A wonderful tool for learning and teaching and a must-have for all current and future organic and biochemists.

Here, the best-selling author and renowned researcher, K. C. Nicolaou, presents around 40 natural products that all have an enormous impact on our everyday life. Printed in full color throughout with a host of pictures, this book is written in the author's very enjoyable and distinct style, such that each chapter is full of interesting and entertaining information on the facts, stories and people behind the scenes. Molecules covered span the healthy and useful, as well as the much-needed and extremely toxic, including Aspirin, urea, camphor, morphine, strychnine, penicillin, vitamin B12, Taxol, Brevetoxin and quinine.
A veritable pleasure to read.

K.C. Nicolaou - Winner of the Nemitsas Prize 2014 in Chemistry Adopting his didactically skillful approach, K.C. Nicolaou compiles in this textbook the important synthetic methods that lead to a complex molecule with valuable properties. He explains all the key steps of the synthetic pathway, highlighting the major developments in blue-boxed sections and contrasting these to other synthetic methods. A wonderful tool for learning and teaching and a must-have for all future and present organic and biochemists.

K. C. Nicolaou, E. J. Sorensen Classics in Total Synthesis Targets, Strategies, Methods This book is a must for every synthetic organic chemist. With didactic skill and clarity, K. C. Nicolaou and E. J. Sorensen present the most remarkable and ingenious total syntheses from the laboratories of some of the world's greatest synthetic organic chemists. To make the strategies more understandable and accessible, especially to the novice, each total synthesis is first analyzed retrosynthetically. The authors then carefully describe each step and comment on alternative methods and potential pitfalls. When appropriate, key chemical reactions are discussed in the wider context of the chemical literature, giving the reader a lesson in both total synthesis and synthetic methods. Diverse structural types of natural products and important organic transformations including pericyclic, ionic, radical, and photochemical reactions are covered. Catalysis, asymmetric synthesis, organometallic chemistry, and cyclization reactions are especially highlighted. Mechanism, reactivity, selectivity, and stereochemistry are presented clearly and discussed analytically. Numerous references to useful reviews and the original literature will make this book the first point of entry into the vast field of synthetic organic chemistry. Special emphasis is placed on the skillful use of graphics and schemes. Retrosynthetic analyses, reaction sequences and crucial synthetic steps are presented in boxed, blue background sections within the text. For easy reference, key intermediates are also shown in the margins. Graduate students, teachers, and researchers alike will find this book to be a gold mine of useful information.Every synthetic chemist will have a copy on his or her desk.