title: How thiostrepton was made in the laboratory.
abstract: Thiostrepton, a powerful antibiotic belonging to the thiopeptide class, was synthesized in the laboratory for the first time in 2004 through an arduous campaign involving novel strategies and tactics, scenic detours, and unexpected roadblocks. In this Review the author narrates the long journey to success, not so dissimilar to Odysseus' return voyage to Ithaca, full of adventure, knowledge, and wisdom.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. kcn@scripps.edu
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Nicolaou
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D001372:Aza Compounds / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D010406:Penicillins / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D011804:Quinolines / Q000737:chemistry; D013883:Thiostrepton / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001372:Aza Compounds; D010406:Penicillins; D011804:Quinolines; D013883:Thiostrepton; C008898:quinaldic acid