The Chemical Synthesis of the Crinine and Haemanthamine Alkaloids: Biologically Active and Enantiomerically-Related Systems that Serve as Vehicles for Showcasing New Methodologies for Molecular Assembly.

The title alkaloids, often referred to collectively as crinines, are a prominent group of structurally distinct natural products with additional members being reported on a regular basis. As such, and because of their often notable biological properties, they have attracted attention as synthetic targets since the mid-1950s. Such efforts continue unabated and more recent studies on these alkaloids have focused on using them as vehicles for showcasing the utility of new synthetic methods. This review provides a comprehensive survey of the nearly seventy-year history of these synthetic endeavors.