Is Isoprene Emitted by Plants Synthesized via the Novel Isopentenyl Pyrophosphate Pathway?

The incorporation of deuterium labeled 1-deoxy-ᴅ-xylulose into isoprene, emitted by three higher plants upon illumination, was analysed by headspace GC-MS. A high extent of incorporation into isoprene was found, indicating that isoprene is synthesized in higher plants via the novel isopentenyl pyrophosphate pathway, of which 1-deoxy-ᴅ-xylulose-5-phosphate is an intermediate. A new chemical synthesis of methyl [ 1- 2 H 1 ]-1-deoxy-α/β-ᴅ-xyluloside from ᴅ-xylulose is presented.