A convenient synthesis of (E)-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-butenyl pyrophosphate and its [4-13C]-labeled form

The synthesis of ( E )-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-butenyl pyrophosphate, an intermediate in the deoxyxylulose pathway of isoprenoid biosynthesis, was accomplished by pyrophosphorylation of ( E )-4-chloro-2-methyl-2-buten-1-ol. This route enables convenient access to isotopically labeled products, as demonstrated through the preparation of [4- 13 C]-( E )-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-butenyl pyrophosphate in 28% overall yield from [1- 13 C]-2-bromopropionic acid.