A total synthesis of enantiopure phorbol was developed in 2015.  While this synthesis will not replace natural isolation products, it will enable researchers to create phorbol analogs for use in research, especially creating phorbol derivatives that can be evaluated for anti-cancer activity.  Previously, the difficulty with synthesizing phorbol had been creating C–C bonds, especially in the six-membered ring at the top of the molecule.  This synthesis starts from (+)-3-carene, and uses a series of 19 steps to eventually create (+)-phorbol.