Synthesis of (E)-4-hydroxydimethylallyl diphosphate. An intermediate in the methyl erythritol phosphate branch of the isoprenoid pathway.

The syntheses of (E)-1-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-buten-4-yl diphosphate ((E)-4-hydroxydimethylallyl diphosphate, HDMAPP), an intermediate in the methyl erythritol phosphate pathway, and (E)-[4-(2)H]HDMAPP were accomplished in two steps from (E)-4-chloro-2-methyl-2-butenal. The synthetic route is easily adaptable for the facile incorporation of tritium at C-4 of the diphosphate.