Rolling in the deep: An enantioselective synthesis of a marine antibiotic (−)‐atrop‐abyssomicin C (see scheme) is described. The key steps of the synthetic sequence are the application of dual catalysis in the formation of the cyclohexane core, the gold‐catalyzed formation of a tricyclic spirotetronate unit, and a highly efficient eleven‐membered ring closure by a Nozaki–Hiyama–Kishi reaction.

Enantioselective synthesis of a marine antibiotic (-)-atrop-abyssomicin C was accomplished in 21 steps, in 1.8% overall yield (4%, based on the recovered starting material). The key steps of the synthesis are the formation of the functionalized cyclohexane core by an organocatalyzed Tsuji-Trost reaction, the formation of a tricyclic spirotetronate unit by a gold-catalyzed reaction sequence and the highly efficient eleven-membered ring closure by a Nozaki-Hiyama-Kishi reaction. Biological tests showed all abyssomicin derivatives to possess strong antibacterial activity against methicillin resistant S. aureus strains; however, they also proved to be cytotoxic, both to malignant and to normal somatic cells.

Synergic combination of organotransition metal catalysis and organocatalysis allows, for the first time, the Tsuji-Trost cyclization of aldehydes. A catalytic asymmetric variant of the reaction is also possible.

The total synthesis of desmethylabyssomicin C analogue 1 was accomplished using diastereotopos-selective ring closing metathesis and Nozaki-Hiyama-Kishi cyclization as the key steps. The synthetic analogue retained its antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant S. aureus strains, whereas its cytotoxicity decreased for three orders of magnitude, as compared to atrop-abyssomicin C.

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The first total synthesis of the neuroactive indole alkaloid (±)-alstoscholarisine A is reported. The key step of the concise synthesis is an efficient domino sequence that was used to assemble the 2,8-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane core through the formation of two C-N bonds and one C-C bond in a single step.

The production of lipase from Pseudozyma aphidis (DSM 70725) was determined in six different media. The highest lipase production was observed in a medium with glucose as the sole carbon source, and yeast extract and sodium nitrate as the nitrogen sources. The time course studies of growth and lipase production in the optimal medium revealed that the highest lipase production was achieved at the end of the log phase of growth, reaching the value of 35.0 U cm -3 in the fifth day of cultivation. The effects of various polar, water-miscible, organic solvents on the activity and stability of the crude lipase produced by P. aphidis were evaluated. The hydrolytic activity of the crude lipase towards p-nitrophenyl palmitate (p-NPP) in aqueous media and in organic solvents was determined, using the same spectrophotometric assay in both the aqueous and organic media. The crude lipase preparation exhibited activity towards p-NPP only in acetone and acetonitrile, while the lipase was stable only in acetone, with 23 % residual activity after 24 h of incubation. These results suggested that lipase from P. aphidis can be used as a biocatalyst for potential applications in such organic solvents.

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