Mevalonic acid-5-phosphate

Mevalonic Acid 5-Phosphate is used in the a key step in the mevalonate pathway for isoprenoid and sterol biosynthesis.

ChEBI: 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-5-phosphonooxypentanoic acid is a monoalkyl phosphate.

Purify the acid by conversion to the tricyclohexylammonium salt (m 154-156o) by treatment with cyclohexylamine. Crystallise it from water/acetone at -15o. Alternatively, the phosphate is chromatographed through an ion-exchange resin or paper (Whatman No 1) in a system of isobutyric acid/ammonia/water (66:3:30; RF 0.42). Store it as the cyclohexylammonium salt.