Geranyl pyrophosphate

Geranyl pyrophosphate, also known as geranyl diphosphate, is the pyrophosphate ester of the terpenoid geraniol. Its salts are colorless. It is a precursor to many thousands of natural products.

Occurrence

GPP is an intermediate in the isoprenoid biosynthesis pathway that produces longer prenyl chains such as farnesyl pyrophosphate and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate as well as many terpenes. It can be prepared in the laboratory from geraniol.

Microbial toxicity

Intracellularly produced GPP has been shown to be toxic to the bacteria E. coli at moderate doses.

Related compounds