Synthesis and Biological Validation of a Ubiquitous Quorum‐Sensing Molecule

Chemical communication (“quorum sensing”) amongst bacteria has been studied by the synthesis and study of enantiopure (R)-4,5-dihydroxy-2,3-pentanedione (DPD, see scheme). Bioactivity assays with DPD have shown that chelation of boron by the cyclic form of DPD appears to be essential for full induction of bioluminescence, which is an example of quorum-sensing-controlled behavior. Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.wiley-vch.de/contents/jc_2002/2004/z53150_s.pdf or from the author. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.