The Structural Basis of Malodorant Skatole Formation by the Glycyl Radical Enzyme Indoleacetate Decarboxylase

Christa N Imrich1, Lindsey R F Backman1,2, Abigail P Allworth3

  • 1Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA.

Related Concept Videos

Loss of Carboxy Group as CO2: Decarboxylation of Malonic Acid Derivatives01:35

Loss of Carboxy Group as CO2: Decarboxylation of Malonic Acid Derivatives

Just like β-keto acids—which upon thermal decarboxylation form ketones—β-dicarboxylic acids undergo decarboxylation to generate monocarboxylic acids with the liberation of carbon dioxide.
Alkylation of β-Diester Enolates: Malonic Ester Synthesis01:14

Alkylation of β-Diester Enolates: Malonic Ester Synthesis

Malonic ester synthesis is a method to obtain α substituted carboxylic acids from ꞵ-diesters such as diethyl malonate and alkyl halides.
Ketones with Nonenolizable Aromatic Aldehydes: Claisen–Schmidt Condensation01:01

Ketones with Nonenolizable Aromatic Aldehydes: Claisen–Schmidt Condensation

Benzaldehyde, like formaldehyde, lacks an α hydrogen and cannot enolize to form an enolate. Hence, the reaction of benzaldehyde with a ketone in the presence of an aqueous base forms a single crossed product. This reaction is referred to as Claisen–Schmidt condensation.
As the self-condensation of ketones is generally not favored in basic conditions, the self-condensed products do not form in the reaction between ketones and benzaldehyde. The general reaction of Claisen–Schmidt condensation is...
Structures of Aldehydes and Ketones01:04

Structures of Aldehydes and Ketones

Vanillin—a flavoring agent in vanilla, cinnamaldehyde—a molecule responsible for the distinct smell of cinnamon, and acetone—a strong-smelling ingredient in nail polish removers, all belong to a class of carbonyl compounds called aldehydes and ketones (Figure 1). Although both aldehydes and ketones contain the characteristic carbonyl (C=O) bond, their chemical structures vary with respect to the groups directly attached to the carbonyl carbon.
In aldehydes (Figures 1a and 1b), the carbonyl...
Loss of Carboxy Group as CO2: Decarboxylation of β-Ketoacids01:02

Loss of Carboxy Group as CO2: Decarboxylation of β-Ketoacids

Carboxylic acids, upon heating, undergo a decarboxylation reaction by releasing carbon dioxide gas. Monocarboxylic acids do not undergo decarboxylation easily. However, a silver salt of carboxylic acid reacts with bromine or iodine under high temperature to release carbon dioxide gas and forms halide with one less carbon. This reaction is called the Hunsdiecker reaction.
Reactions of Aldehydes and Ketones: Baeyer–Villiger Oxidation01:22

Reactions of Aldehydes and Ketones: Baeyer–Villiger Oxidation

Baeyer–Villiger oxidation converts aldehydes to carboxylic acids and ketones to esters. The reaction uses peroxy acids or peracids and is often catalyzed by acid. The reaction is named after its pioneers, Adolf von Baeyer and Victor Villiger. The reaction is achieved by a wide range of peracids such as m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (mCPBA), perbenzoic acid (C6H5COOOH), peracetic acid (CH3COOOH), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BuOOH).
The carbonyl center is activated by...