Question

Question: Farnesyl diphosphate is synthesized from isopentenyl diphosphate and X by a pathway similar toMechanism 16.1. Draw the structure of X.

Short answer

ANSWER

Step-by-step solution

Farnesyl diphosphate

Farnesyl diphosphates are familiar by another name, farnesyl pyrophosphate. They serve as intermediates in the preparation of terpenes and terpenoids.

Allylic carbocations in biological reactions

Several biological reactions utilize allylic carbocations that are generated from diphosphates as intermediates. A new carbon-carbon bond is created in this biological process.

Finding the structure X

In biological reactions, allylic carbocations serve as intermediates for the formation of farnesyl diphosphate.

The first step of this reaction is the generation of allylic carbocation by losing the diphosphate group. The second step is the nucleophilic attack of isopentyl diphosphate leading to the formation of a new bond.

The third step is deprotonation leading to the final product.

The reaction can be given as:

Reaction of isopentyl diphosphate leading to farnesyl diphosphate

Hence the structure of X can be given as:

Structure of X