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High-throughput methods for the preparation of nonmevalonate terpene biosynthesis enzymes, which can be effectively used as antiinfective drugs, are described. Enzyme-assisted methods for the preparation of the required substrates in multigram amounts, with or without (13.Super)C labels in various positions that enable monitoring of enzyme reaction by (13.Super)C NMR, are presented.

The development of a concise route for the preparation of new tetra-orthogonally protected (2S,6R)-lanthionines is described. The new orthogonally protected lanthionines could be used to study the lantibiotic family of antimicrobial peptides.

A biosynthetic study on spiro-mamakone A, a potently cytotoxic and antimicrobial compound from an endophytic fungus isolated from the New Zealand native tree Knightia excelsa is reported. The biosynthesis proceeds via an unprecedented symmetric enedione with the two halves of the molecule formed from two separate pentaketide units connected by oxidative coupling and have confirmed the origin of polyketide to the spirobisnaphthalene class of compounds.

A method is described for converting tert-butyl benzoates or tert-butyl 1-naphthoates into derivatives having an alkyl or substituted alkyl group. The method can be applied to the synthesis of the antimicrobial fungal metabolite culpin.