Ethyl-5-iodovalerate is a reagent in the synthesis of 8-Amino-7-oxopelargonic Acid Hydrochloride (A618750) which is an intermediate in the synthesis of biotin. Pimeloyl-CoA is transformed into AOP in the presence of L-alanine by the enzyme AOP synthase. The catalytic mechanism of AOP synthase has been studied for the elucidation of inhibitors as potential antimicrobial agents.