What does he need to do?

Advances in genetic technology have allowed scientists to create sophisticated biologically-engineered humanoid beings called "replicants" for use on the mining colonies and for hard labor. Following a violent revolt that takes place off world, replicants are declared illegal on Earth and are policed and terminated by agents called Blade Runners.

Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) is an accomplished veteran Blade Runner that discovers that Tyrell's young assistant Rachael is an experimental replicant who believes she is a human; Rachael's consciousness has been enhanced with implanted memories from Tyrell's niece, an accomplishment that Tyrell seems most pleased with.

Deckard and Rachel reluctantly fall in love with each other, but the Nexus-6 model replicant has a four-year lifespan as a failsafe to prevent them from developing their own emotions and desire for independence.

The Problem

Unless something is done, Rachel, as well as the other replicants will only have a short time to live.

Help Deckard, Rachel, Roy, and Pris discover the key to extending thier lifespan!

The Tyrell coporation that genetically designs and engineers replicants has leaked information about the chemical that will shut down thier lifespans. However, this is a closely guarded secret and you only have one chance to synthesize this chemical in high yield!

Our article (He, W.; Huang, J.; Sun, X.; Frontier, A. J. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2008, 130, 300-308) focuses on the synthesis of merrilactone A, a compound that promotes the growth of fetal rat neurons. The article mentions the history behind the synthesis of the compound: synthesis of merrilactone A through several different methods. Frontier and his co-workers specifically used a reaction called silyloxyfuran Nazarov cyclization to synthesize merrilactone A1. Click on the Banners or here to return to the Chemistry Theatre!