Onchidin (1) is a cytotoxic depsipeptide isolated from the pulmonate mollusc Onchidium sp. Its structure is cyclo (MeVal-Amo-Val-Hiv-Hiv-MeVal-Amo-Val-Hiv-Hiv) made of two identical halves (C30H49N3O(7), MeVal-Amo-Val-Hiv-Hiv). Onchidin contains a new beta-amino acid: 3-amio-2-methyl-oct-7-ynoic acid (Amo). It has C-2-symmetry and this makes one half homotopic to the other so only signals for a ''monomer'' can be seen in the NMR spectra. The structure and absolute stereochemisuy (all S) of onchidin was determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis, selective hydrolysis and chiral GCMS.