Metabolic product of Penicillium palitans Westling. Isoln: J. H. Birkinshaw, H. Raistrick, Biochem. J. 30, 801 (1936). Derivs and degradation products: J. H. Birkinshaw, ibid. 51, 271 (1952). Structure: K. Bowden et al., J. Chem. Soc. 1959, 1662. Biosynthesis: P. Chaplen, R. Thomas, Biochem. J. 77, 91 (1960); A. J. Birch, M. Kocor, J. Chem. Soc. 1960, 866. Reactivity studies: A. T. Austin, B. Pearson, Chem. Ind. (London) 1966, 1228. Stereoselective synthesis of (±)-form: A. Ichihara et al., Tetrahedron Lett. 1977, 3473; eidem, Tetrahedron 36, 1547 (1980).