3-Methyl-2-butenal: an enzymatic degradation product of the cytokinin, N-6-(delta-2 isopentenyl)adenine.

An enzyme preparation from immature corn kernels catalyzed cleavage of N-6-(delta-2-isopentenyl)adenine to give the aldehyde, 3-methyl-2-butenal, as the major side-chain derived product. This product, in the form of the semicarbazone, was identical with an authentic product by several criteria: chromatographic behavior, mass and ultraviolet spectra.