Thermal and pH stability of 2 -isopentenyl pyrophosphate

The isoprenoid precursors Delta(3)-isopentenyl pyrophosphate and gamma,gamma-dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (Delta(2)-isopentenyl pyrophosphate) have been separated by thin-layer chromatography. The products from Delta(2)-isopentenyl pyrophosphate incubated under various conditions of pH and temperature have been separated, and the survival of Delta(2)-isopentenyl pyrophosphate under these conditions has been calculated. The acid-labile Delta(2)-isopentenyl pyrophosphate can be stored indefinitely at pH 11.5 and -100 degrees C.