Synthesis of Lignans and Lignan Glycosides

The specific selective synthesis of any chemical component in a synthetic network represents a significant challenge due to the intricacy of the metabolic biosynthetic pathway. Lignan is a large group of polyphenols extensively found in both human food sources and plants. As key components, these chemicals serve significant roles in plants&s; ecological activities as defense against herbivores and microbes. Lignan natural products and their synthetic analogs have demonstrated a plethora of bioactivities, such as antimicrobial, antitumor, antiviral, antiplatelet, 5-lipoxygenase inhibition, phosphodiesterase inhibition, antioxidant, HIV reverse transcription inhibition immunosuppressive, cytotoxic, and anti-asthmatic properties. Numerous synthetic techniques have been developed in recent years that expanded the collective understanding of the synthesis of distinctive and complex structures of lignans. Despite the investigation of synthetic biological techniques to lignan manufacture, the biosynthesis of most lignans, notably the more lucrative lignan glycosides, over the full synthetic network is still insufficient. This chapter covers a comprehensive overview of lignans, their classification, various synthetic techniques, and putative biosynthetic pathways involved in lignan, and its glycoside, production.