A critical opinion is advanced on the merits of multidisciplinary ventures in synthetic organic chemistry. In particular, the concept of a "tool box" of methodologies available for effective solutions to problems in organic synthesis is analyzed in the context of available examples from the literature as well as from the ongoing projects in our research group. The discussion of several cases of recently accomplished total syntheses offers evidence that the introduction of biocatalytic methods greatly improves the overall process of preparation of target compounds. Some examples of such projects form also the topic of the authors lecture at the 8th Brazilian Meeting on Organic Synthesis in September 1998.
biocatalysis; natural synthesis
