Prephenate undergoes dehydration, decarboxylation, and transamination with Pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) and alpha-Ketoglutaric acid to form L-phenylalanine (figure 1).

Through an oxidation with molecular oxygen and NADPH, a hydroxyl group is added to the para position of the aromatic ring.

The compound reacts with naringenin-chalcone synthase and three malonyl CoA molecules to add six carbon atoms and three more keto groups ring through PKS III.

Aureusidin synthase catalyses the aromatization and cyclization of the newly added carbonyl groups and facilitates the release of CoA.

The compound then reacts with NADPH and dihydroflavonol 4-reductase to form leucopelargonidin, which is further oxidized with oxygen, alpha-Ketogluteratic acid, and anthocyanidin synthase.