Microalgae are a source of numerous compounds that can be used in many branches of industry. Synthesis of such compounds in microalgal cells can be amplified under stress conditions. Exposure to various metals can be one of methods applied to induce cell stress and synthesis of target products in microalgae cultures. In this review, the potential of producing diverse biocompounds (pigments, lipids, exopolymers, peptides, phytohormones, arsenoorganics, nanoparticles) from microalgae cultures upon exposure to various metals, is evaluated. Additionally, different methods to alter microalgae response towards metals and metal stress are described. Finally, possibilities to sustain high growth rates and productivity of microalgal cultures in the presence of metals are discussed.

Resorcinarenes constitute a very attractive class of macrocycles possessing a cavity capable of complexing small molecules. They can be simply transformed into chiral derivatives by functionalisation of their hydroxy groups as well as the “ortho” position at the resorcinol ring. The appropriate modifications lead to various chiral resorcinarene derivatives. The chirality of these compounds results from their structure (the axial chirality) or from the presence of chiral auxiliaries. Moreover, the synthesis of chiral resorcinarene derivatives from chiral substrates is also possible. In this short review, we wish to present the strategies and methodology of the synthesis of chiral resorcinarenes, treating this article as an introduction to the chirality of resorcinarenes.