A facile synthesis of δ‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA) regioselectively labeled with ¹³C and direct observation of enzymatic transformation from ALA to porphobilinogen (PBG)

Abstract

Abstract δ‐Aminolevulinic acid (ALA), labeled with 13 C at position 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, was synthesized from 13 C‐labeled glycine, Meldrum's acid, or bromoacetate. The latter compounds were prepared from 13 C‐sodium acetate or 13 C‐acetic acid. Enzymatic transformation from ALA to porphobilinogen (PBG) was directly observed by 13 C‐NMR.