Synthesis of N‐[3‐OXO‐(4,5‐3H2)‐hexanoyl] homoserine lactone: Biologically active tritium‐labelled vibrio fischeri autinducer

N‐(3‐oxo‐4‐hexenoyl) homoserine lactone was synthesized and then reduced with Wilkinson's catalyst in the presence of tritium gas to form N‐[3‐oxo‐(4,5‐3H2)‐hexanoyl] homoserine locatone (45–55 Ci/mmol). The labelled compound was indistinguishable from the autoinducer for Vibrio fischeri luciferase [N‐(3‐oxohexanoyl) homosernine lactone] by high‐performance liquid chromatography and it was biologically active.