Covering: up to 2007

A detailed overview is presented of recent total synthesis approaches to four different diterpenoids—the ginkgolides, tonantzitlolone, ingenol and eleutherobin. Due to their structural complexity, all pose major challenges for total synthesis, guaranteeing diverse strategic tours de force and a rich synthetic chemistry. Additionally, all four diterpenoids are of major relevance because of their biological (target) or pharmaceutical properties.