Stereochemical aspects of carotenoids

Abstract

A brief introduction to carotenoid stereochemistry is given for the non-specialist. Stereochemical aspects of carotenoids, of obvious importance for stereoselective total synthesis and structure elucidation of naturally occurring carotenoids, also have an impact on biochemical and biological phenomena, as illustrated by examples. Stereochemical studies are selected from the author's own research, partly in a historical context, but with emphasis on more recent contributions, interdisciplinary aspects of stereochemistry, and the application of different methods comprising spectroscopy (VIS, CD, 1H NMR), HPLC, total and partial synthesis, oxidative degradation, derivatization including partial resolution and enzymic reactions, iodine-catalysed stereomutation and proof of natural occurrence.