Marine huge molecules: the longest carbon chains in natural products.

Marine huge polyol and polyether compounds are remarkable molecules owing to their extraordinary structures and significant biological activities. Currently, palytoxin and maitotoxin are believed to have the longest carbon chains in nature (more than 100 A in length), except for biopolymers. The structural properties of such marine huge molecules are highlighted, especially with regard to the length and shape of their carbon chains. Copyright 2010 The Japan Chemical Journal Forum and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.