13C-NMR SPECTROSCOPY OF FATTY ACIDS AND DERIVATIVES


Acids, Esters (Alkyl, Glycerol, Waxes), Alcohols and Acetates, Amides, and Nitriles



Chemical shifts (ppm) for several carbon atoms in oleic acid and some of its derivatives are summarised in the Table below. There are diagnostic signals for these classes of long-chain compounds.

formula

Carbon atom a b c d e f
Acid 180.43 34.13  24.70 - - -
Methyl ester 174.28 34.10 25.01 51.39 - -
Glycerol ester (α) 173.23 34.07 34.91 - - -
Glycerol ester (β) 172.82 34.23 24.93 - - -
Alcohol - - - 63.03 32.81 25.76
Acetate 171.16 20.99 - 64.63 28.66 25.96
Wax ester 173.97 34.43 25.06 64.38 28.69 25.97
Amide (i) 76.37 36.02 25.57 - - -
Nitrile (ii) 119.77 25.41 17.12* - - -
* also 28.68 (C4) 28.77 (C5)
(i) Huang et al. have given different values for the amide of 12-hydroxystearic acid: 176 (C1) and 33.1 (C2).
(ii) Information on more complex nitriles is given in many papers devoted to the synthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids since they are important intermediates.

Characteristic chemical shifts have also been reported for di-Guerbet esters. These are branched chain compounds made from Guerbet acids and Guerbet alcohols and have the structure shown below where the four R groups (C4 – C12) may differ from each other.

formula


References


F.D. Gunstone

The Scottish Crop Research Institute (MRS Lipid Analysis), Invergowrie, Dundee (DD2 5DA), Scotland


Lipid Library