Abstract: A dicarba analogue of insulin comprising an A-chain and a B-chain or fragments, salts, solvates, derivatives, isomers or tautomers of the A-chain, the B-chain or both, provided that the dicarba analogue is not [A7,B7-(2,7-diaminosuberoyl]-des-(B26-B30)-insulin B25-amide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for forming dicarba bridges in organic compounds. This involves the use of a pair of complementary metathesisable groups on the organic compound, and subjecting the compound to cross-metathesis under microwave radiation conditions. In an alternative, the compounds contain a turn-inducing group between the pair of cross-metathesisable groups to facilitate the cross-metathesis.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for forming two or more dicarba bridges, as well as new compounds containing dicarba bridges.

Abstract: Organic compounds, such as precursors for aryl ethylamines such as ephedrine, aryl propylamines such as fluoxetine and propionic acid derivatives such as ibuprofen, naproxen and fenoprofen, are subjected to a yeast mediated reduction conducted in the absence of a solvent. The yeast is moistened with water and contacted with the organic compound. The yeast may then be contacted with an organic solvent to dissolve the product of the reaction into the solvent, and a solid/liquid separation used to separate the product from the yeast.

Abstract: This invention relates to yeast-mediated catalysis in organic solvents, and in particular the yeast-mediated condensation between pyruvate and a substituted aromatic aldehyde to yield the corresponding acyloin (hydroxy ketone) compound. The invention provides a method of synthesis of a substituted carbinol compound, comprising the step of subjecting the corresponding substituted aromatic aldehyde to acyloin condensation mediated by a yeast in an organic solvent under non-fermenting conditions. Preferably the yeast is Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In a preferred embodiment, the reaction is that between pyruvate and benzaldehyde to yield phenylacetylcarbinol, the precursor to ephedrine, to yield a product of high enantiomeric purity.

Abstract: The invention provides novel sulphonylurea, sulphonylthiourea and sulphonylguanidine compounds which have the ability to block potassium ion channels regulated by intracellular concentrations of ATP. Methods of synthesis, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the treatment of conditions such as type II diabetes, cardiac arrhythmias, ischaemic and hypoxic cardiovascular incidents, and cancers are also claimed.