Bird Flu chemistry progress

Here is a nice report on E.J. Corey's improved synthesis of shikimic acid , a key intermediate in synthesis of Tamiflu, which is in short supply to prevent an outbreak of bird flu.

This is a good example of chemists focusing their attention on chemical solutions to real immediate problems, which is the spirit of what the UsefulChem project should strive to achieve and maintain.

Thanks to Sundar Babu for the link!

Update: here is a nice discussion of the synthetic strategy from In the Pipeline