Progress in the chemical synthesis of artemisinin / 中国药学杂志

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To introduce the research progress in total-and semi-synthesis of artemisinin. METHODS: The review was based on representative literatures, and the data was summarized and analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Artemisinin is one of the most effective anti-malarial medicines. Since its discovery, artemisinin chemical synthesis has become a hot research topic. Nine total-synthesis methods andfive semi-synthesis methods were summarized, for which the overall yields were up to 10% and 60% respectively. Efficient synthesis of artemisinin in large scale by industry would be realized in the near future, and it will benefit hundred millions of patients.