Cover Feature: Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Benzobicyclo[3.2.1]octanes (Chem. Eur. J. 41/2021)

Abstract

Lawsone is naturally obtained from Henna plant leaves (as shown in the cover image), which are responsible for the red-orange pigment properties. It is well known in the cosmetic industry as a natural coloring agent for hair, nails, and skin. Over the centuries, lawsone has been frequently used as a natural beauty product, but the pharmaceutical applications of lawsone and its analogs are still underexplored. To fulfill these shortcomings, we started utilizing lawsone as a synthon for a new class of cascade reactions to synthesize structurally complex molecules, which are analogues of biologically and pharmaceutically active molecules. We sincerely thank Dr. M. A. Pasha for the excellent design of the cover. More information can be found in the Communication by D. B. Ramachary et al. (DOI: 10.1002/chem.202100985).