Ethyl stearate → Palmitic Acid

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

1.500 Grams of ethyl stearate, 6.25 mg of PGE 2, and 62.5 mg of oleic acid were placed in a Pyrex test tube and heated to about 100° F. on a hot plate with periodic agitation. The mixture rapidly melted to afford a clear solution. A standard laboratory micropipette (Justor 1100 BG manufactured by Nichiryo and available from Sigma, St. Louis. Mo. USA with volume dispensed adjustable from 10.0 to 100.0 microliters; and Sigma pipette tips—catalog #B-6429) was repeatedly dipped into this solution and aspirated with the volume set at 37 microliters. The solution rapidly solidified at ambient room temperature (71° F.) and the resultant suppository was removed by pressing a paper clip into the tip of the pipette. Approximately 100 suppositories were made in a two hour period using this method. Subsequent weighing showed that 96% of the suppositories weighed 31±0.5 mgs. Similar results were obtained when palmitic acid was substituted for oleic acid.

Provenance & Evidence