Microscale methodology for structure elucidation of natural products.

Advances in microscale spectroscopic techniques, particularly microcryoprobe NMR, allow discovery and structure elucidation of new molecules down to only a few nanomole. Newer methods for utilizing circular dichroism (CD) have pushed the limits of detection to picomole levels. NMR and CD methods are complementary to the task of elucidation of complete stereostructures of complex natural products. Together, integrated microprobe NMR spectroscopy, microscale degradation and synthesis, are synergistic tools for the discovery of bioactive natural products and have opened new realms for discovery among extreme sources including compounds from uncultured microbes, rare invertebrates and environmental samples.