Homination

The historical achievements in organic natural product synthesis can be recognized most clearly in the research accomplishments of Albert Eschenmoser. For example, his work on the chemical synthesis of vitamin B12 defined the frontier in organic natural product synthesis and profoundly influenced the science of organic chemistry. In addition to revealing the beautiful reaction pathways leading to compounds of great biochemical significance, Albert Eschenmoser has contributed innovative methods of outstanding utility for organic synthesis. Few individuals have so fundamentally influenced the science of organic chemistry as Albert Eschenmoser has. Over the years, a sizable fraction of Albert Eschenmoser's work has been published in Helvetica Chimica Acta, hence the decision of the Editor to produce a special issue of the journal on the occasion of Albert Eschenmoser's 75th birthday, celebrated on August 5, 2000. The highly impressive set of 67 original research papers submitted in response to the Editor's invitation could not, for obvious technical reasons, be accommodated in a single issue and were thus divided over the August and September issues. The international reaction to this tribute has been so overwhelmingly enthusiastic that the two issues have been combined in this single volume for separate publication.