Natural product chemistry is a branch of chemistry focused on the study of chemical compounds from natural sources such as plants and microorganisms. Natural products are known for their diverse bioactivities and have been a valuable source of the drug development. Structural determination of natural products is a critical step in natural product chemistry. By determining the chemical structure of a compound, scientists can understand its properties, bioactivities, and potential medicinal applications.
Furthermore, natural product chemistry explores the biosynthetic pathways of natural products. Understanding how organisms produce natural products can provide insights into their ecological roles and evolutionary significance. Overall, natural product chemistry is an interdisciplinary field that combines elements of organic chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology, and other related disciplines. It plays a crucial role in drug discovery, providing a vast pool of bioactive compounds for further exploration and new drug development.