Biosynthesis of β-Substituted Furan Skeleton in the Lower Furanoterpenoids: A Model Study

Furanoterpenes are widely distributed in the plant kingdom. In this study we have carried out enzymatic synthesis of simple furan compounds from the molecules containing an α-isopropylidene ketone unit and the role of cytochrome P450 in this biotransformation has been conclusively established. Eight model compounds (acyclic, monocyclic, and bicyclic, 1–8), having an α-isopropylidene ketone unit, were synthesized and incubated with PB-induced rat...