Combinatorial chemistry has emerged over the last few years as an important tool for drug discovery and lead optimisation. In this approach, the molecular diversity and range of biological properties displayed by secondary metabolites constitutes a challenge to combinatorial strategies for natural products synthesis and derivatization. This article surveys the application of combinatorial techniques to the design of "natural product-looking" libraries covering a wide range of structural diversities.
natural products; combinatorial chemistry; drug discovery; lead compounds
