Identification of (8S,9S,10S)-8,10-Dimethyl-1-octalin, a Key Intermediate in the Biosynthesis of Geosmin in Bacteria

(-)-Geosmin (1, blue) is an important odor component produced by many bacteria, including actinomycetes, myxobacteria, and cyanobacteria, but has also been reported for eukaryotic organisms such as fungi, liverworts, insects, and plants. Recent research has shown that the biosynthesis of 1 starts with the cyclization of farnesyl pyrophosphate to (1(10)E,5E)-germacradien-11-ol (2, yellow), the first key intermediate en route. In a...