ChemInform Abstract: GEMINAL HYDROXYMETHYL COMPOUNDS FROM 9(10)‐FORMYLSTEARIC ACID

Abstract

from ABSTRACT AND SUMMARY9(10)-Formylstearic acid and methyl 9(10)formylstearate reacted with formaldehyde in basic methanolic or aqueous medium to undergo the Tollens condensation, followed by a crossed Cannizzaro reaction to give 9,9(10,10)-bis(hydroxymethyl)octadecanoic acid in essentially quantitative yield. This 2,2-disubstituted-l,3-propanediol has been esterified on the carboxyl group and the hydroxymethyl groups have been acetylated and acetalated with acetone to give a series of stable liquids boiling at ca. 200 C/0.005 mm and freezing at <-70 C.