First successful synthesis of elusive antibiotic compounds since their discovery 50 years ago

Back in 1974, German researchers discovered peculiar chemical compounds, present as red pigments in soil bacteria from a volcanic crater. These biomolecules, which came to be known as naphthocyclinones, are representative of a family of antibiotics with potential medical or biological applications. Despite their promising properties, artificially synthesizing these naphthocyclinones has proven to be quite challenging. Back in 1974, German researchers discovered peculiar chemical compounds, present as red pigments in soil bacteria from a volcanic crater. These biomolecules, which came to be known as naphthocyclinones, are representative of a family of antibiotics with potential medical or biological applications. Despite their promising properties, artificially synthesizing these naphthocyclinones has proven to be quite challenging. Biochemistry Analytical Chemistry Phys.org – latest science and technology news stories