Acetyl coenzyme A synthetase catalyzed reactions of coenzyme A with alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acids.

alpha, beta-Unsaturated coenzyme A (CoA) thioesters including acrylyl CoA, methacrylyl CoA, and propiolyl CoA were synthesized by catalysis with acetyl CoA synthetase (EC 6.2.1.1.). After isolation from the enzymatic reactions, the products were found to be the result of 1,4 addition of CoASH to the double bond and addition of water to the triple bond of the initial acyl CoA adducts. Structural determinations of these products by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and the chemical reactions leading to their formation are described.