title: Alternate biosynthesis of valerenadiene and related sesquiterpenes.
abstract: It is proposed that the biosynthesis of the sesquiterpene valerenadiene, a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of a sedative in valerian, involves cyclopropane and not cyclobutane intermediates and includes as a key step a cyclopropylcarbinylcation-cyclopropylcarbinylcation rearrangement analogous to the one observed in the conversion of presqualene to squalene in triterpene and steroid biosynthesis. Similar mechanisms are proposed for the biosynthesis of the related sesquiterpenes pacifigorgiol, tamariscene and (+)-pacifigorgia-1,10-diene.
authors.affiliation: Prof S. C. Bhattacharyya Organic Synthesis Laboratory, VerGo Pharma Research, Verna, Goa 403722, India. skpakni@yahoo.co.in
authors.forename: Shashikumar K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Paknikar
authors.forename: Shahuraj H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kadam
authors.forename: April L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Ehrlich
authors.forename: Robert B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Bates
mesh_terms: D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000378:metabolism*; D014632:Valerian / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C437464:tamariscene; C585666:valerenadiene