Chiral non racemic γ-lactones, either isolated or policondensed , are widely present in nature as pheromones, flavourings and other natural products. γ-Lactones are also versatile building blocks for the synthesis of bioactive molecules.
The organic chemistry group is involved in the synthesis of optically active γ-butyrolactones mediated by biotransformation processes, using both yeasts and purified enzymes, in particular in the synthesis of paraconic acids, a class of γ-lactones bearing a carboxylic group at the β carbon.
Chemoenzymatic methodologies are also applied to the asymmetric synthesis of optically active functionalized γ-butyrolactams, which are successively converted into analogs of γ-aminobutiric acid, the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammals. In this context, new and convenient syntheses of the pharmacologically active GABA analogs Baclofen and Pregabalin, widely used in therapy for the treatment of neurological diseases, have been developed recently.

Particular attention is given to the assignment of the absolute configuration of the new compounds using several approaches such as X-ray, NMR analysis, Circular Dichroism, computational calculations of optical rotatory power and electronic circular dichroism.

The organocatalysis has opened new perspectives for the asymmetric synthesis of enantiomerically and diastereomerically bioactive compounds, such as antibiotics, antitumorals and painkillers.
Recently, the organic chemistry group approached the organocatalysis studying the organocatalysed asymmetric Michael reaction between dicarbonylic compounds and different nitroolefins, using chiral amines as catalysts. The products of the reaction are interesting cyclopentanone derivatives, obtained with very high diastereomeric and enantiomeric excess, as well as nitroalkylated products, depending on the organocatalyst used.