The Total Synthesis of strychnine(1954) strychnine Poison isolated in 1818 Used as a pestcide and in medicine as a stimulant for the central nervous system Structure elucidation in 1946 X-ray crystallographic confirmation in the early 1950s Absolute configuration in 1956 Challenge: 6 chiral centers and 7 rings or its molecular size it is the most complex substance known Sir robert robinsonThe Total Synthesis of Strychnine (1954) strychinine · Poison Isolated in 1818 · Used as a pestcide and in medicine as a stimulant for the central nervous system · Structure elucidation in 1946 · X-ray crystallographic confirmation in the early 1950¶s · Absolute configuration in 1956 · Challenge: 6 chiral centers and 7 rings ³For its molecular size it is the most complex substance known.´ ------ Sir Robert Robinson N O O N H H H H