Tetrahydrogeranylgeraniol, a Precursor of Phytol in the Biosynthesis of Chlorophyll a — Localization of the Double Bonds

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Abstract
Pheophytins esterified with phytol and tetrahydrogeranylgeraniol are isolated from etiolated oat seedlings after short (1 min) exposure to light and a subsequent dark period of 15 to 20 min. After saponification of the pheophytins, a mixture of the alcohols was isolated. The structure of tetra­ hydrogeranylgeraniol was established as 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-⊿2,14 hexadecadiene-1-ol (3a). The implications for chlorophyll biosynthesis are discussed.