The Abiotic Oxidation of Organic Acids to Malonate
ACS Citation
Rice, G. B.; Yerabolu, J. R.; Krishnamurthy, R.; Springsteen, G. The Abiotic Oxidation of Organic Acids to Malonate. Synlett 2017, 28 (1), 98-102.
Version of Record
Abstract
The nucleophilicity of the α-carbon of malonate, coupled with its potential for subsequent decarboxylation, makes it an intriguing building block in prebiotic chemical scenarios. In this work, a variety of citric acid cycle (TCA) intermediates is shown to unexpectedly generate malonate in an oxidizing environment. The reactions are facile in aqueous solution containing hydrogen peroxide, a prevalent abiotic oxidant. In modern metabolism, malonate is a carbon source for acetyl-CoA. Additionally, its thioester is the substrate for the biosynthesis of both fatty acids and polyketides. The data presented herein may hint at how an early link was formed between polyketide, fatty acid, and TCA pathways.
Source Name
Synlett
Publication Date
2017
Volume
28
Issue
1
Page(s)
98-102
Document Type
Citation
Citation Type
Article