A new synthesis of phosphoryl-enolpyruvic acid.

While investigating the enzymatic conversion of n-glyceric acid-3phosphoric acid to pyruvic acid and phosphoric acid, an essential step both in glycolysis and fermentation, Meyerhof and Lohmann (1) observed the formation of a hitherto unknown organic phosphoric acid ester. They succeeded in isolating the new intermediary compound by virtue of the ease of crystallization of the silver-barium salt, and established its constitution as that of phosphoryl-enolpyruvic acid (PEPA). The presence of optical activity in the isolated product thus led Meyerhof and Lohmann to propose and favor a formula (B) which differed from the anticipated structure (A). They realized, of course, the possibility that the activity observed could have been due to contamination by an optically active substance.