Altenin. V. Pathogenic Activity of Reductones to the Pear

The three reductones, 3-hydroxy-2, 4-dioxopentane, ethyl 2-hydroxy-1, 3-dioxovalerate and ethyl 2-hydroxy-3-oxobutyrate, were synthesized. These compounds were examined for the pathogenic activities to the pear. The pathogenic activities of reductones have some relations with the endiol contents. The center of pathogenic activity in altenin is shown to be the endiol carbonyl grouping.