Germacrene A–A Central Intermediate in Sesquiterpene Biosynthesis

Abstract

This review summarises known sesquiterpenes whose biosyntheses proceed through the intermediate germacrene A. First, the occurrence and biosynthesis of germacrene A in Nature and its peculiar chemistry will be highlighted, followed by a discussion of 6–6 and 5–7 bicyclic compounds and their more complex derivatives. For each compound the absolute configuration, if it is known, and the reasoning for its assignment is presented.