100 g (376.2 mmol) of 1,2-di-O-benzyl-glycerol [produced according to Chem. Phys. Lipids (1987), 43(2), 113-277] and 5 g of tetrabutylammonium hydrogen sulfate are dissolved in a mixture that consists of 400 ml of toluene and 200 ml of 50% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. At 0° C., 78 g (400 mmol) of 2-bromoacetic acid-t butyl ester is added in drops over 30 minutes, and then it is stirred for 3 hours at 0° C. The organic phase is separated, dried on magnesium sulfate and evaporated to the dry state in a vacuum. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel (mobile solvent: n-hexane/acetone=20:1).
