Acetic Acid → Methyl 8-methylsulfonyl-12-hydroxyheptadecanoate

Reaction equation

[N+](=C)=[N-].[CH3:4][S:5]([CH:8]([CH2:18][CH2:19][CH2:20][CH:21]([OH:27])[CH2:22][CH2:23][CH2:24][CH2:25][CH3:26])[CH2:9][CH2:10][CH2:11][CH2:12][CH2:13][CH2:14][C:15]([OH:17])=[O:16])(=[O:7])=[O:6].[C:28](O)(=O)C>CCOCC>[CH3:4][S:5]([CH:8]([CH2:18][CH2:19][CH2:20][CH:21]([OH:27])[CH2:22][CH2:23][CH2:24][CH2:25][CH3:26])[CH2:9][CH2:10][CH2:11][CH2:12][CH2:13][CH2:14][C:15]([O:17][CH3:28])=[O:16])(=[O:6])=[O:7]

Participants

Procedure

A solution of diazomethane (approximately 2.5 g., 0.06 mole) in ether (100 ml.) is mixed with a solution of 8-methylsulfonyl-12-hydroxyheptadecanoic acid (10.8 g., 0.03 mole) in ether (50 ml.). The resulting solution is allowed to stand 4 hours at room temperature. Acetic acid is then added to destroy the excess diazomethane and the solution is washed with dilute sodium bicarbonate solution and water and dried over sodium sulfate. Evaporation of volatile materials at reduced pressure yields methyl 8-methylsulfonyl-12-hydroxyheptadecanoate, a colorless viscous oil.