‘Coffee machine’ synthesiser’s first steps

Synthetic chemists are a creative bunch, and we often see our science as akin to an art form. Who can argue against the kind of inspirational insight and elegance often attributed to great artists, when we consider some of the outstanding feats in designing and executing total syntheses? Not me.

Unfortunately, considering ourselves artists bears some risk of reinforcing the belief that we are unique in our ability. While that may have been more true in the past, the potential value of chemical synthesis should compel us to make it more accessible.