Occurrence of 7‐methyl‐7‐hexadecenoic acid, the corresponding alcohol, 7‐methyl‐6‐hexadecenoic acid, and 5‐methyl‐4‐hexadecenoic acid in sperm whale oils

• Published in: Lipids
• Main Authors: Pascal, J. C., Ackman, R. G.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1975
• Subjects: Sperm whale
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/bf02532432; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1007/BF02532432

Abstract Two sperm whale oils from the northern hemisphere and two from the southern hemisphere were fractionated. Triglyceride and wax esters were examined for fatty acids and alcohols with monoethylenic unsaturation bearing a methyl branch on an ethylenic carbon. The 7‐methyl‐7‐hexadecenoic acid (0.37–1.37%) was accompanied by the corresponding alcohol (0.28–0.72%), but these materials were not accompanied by shorter chain homologues. The 7‐methyl‐6‐hexadecenoic acid was relatively less important (0.23–0.68%), but was accompanied by 5‐methyl‐4‐hexadecenoic acid (0.10–0.39%), and a partially identified C 13 compound. Chromatographic properties on silver nitrate impregnated silicic acid TLC and on three GLC liquid phases are reported.