Biosynthesis of the Verrucarins and Roridins. Part 1. The transformation of mevalonic acid into verrucarinic acid. Evidence for a hydrogen 1,2-shift. Verrucarins and roridins, 27th communication

Incorporation experiments using sodium [2-¹⁴C]-, [2-³H]-, (3R)-[5-¹⁴C]- and [2-³H, 2-¹⁴C]-mevalonates and with mevalonates stereospecifically tritiated at C(2) demonstrate the transformation of mevalonic acid ( 8 ) into verrucarinic acid ( 5 ). Degradation experiments showed that this transformation occurs with a hydrogen 1, 2-shift of the ‘pro-2R’ hydrogen atom of mevalonate to C(3) of verrucarinate. A possible mechanistic pathway is discussed.