There is a close parallel between the biosynthesis of fatty acids and polyketides, since in both cases, the formation of linear chains proceeds by the addition of C2 units.

Nevertheless, whilst in fatty acid biosynthesis every C2 unit is added to the growing chain only after reduction of the previous carbonyl unit to a methylene group, the growth of a polyketide chain does not usually require such prior reduction.

Instead poly-beta-ketoacids are formed. Such compounds are very reactive since they contain both active methylene groups(potential nucleophiles) and carbonyl groups (potential electrophiles).

FRIEDLI ENTERPRISES
Georges-Louis Friedli, MSc, PhD.
georges-louis@friedli.com