Branched Long Chain Alkyl Methyl Ethers: A New Class of Lipids from Spider Silk

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(01)80424-5

Long chain methyl branched 1-methoxyalkanes, a new class of ether lipids, have been identified from silk of the spider Linyphia triangularis (Araneae: Linyphiidae) by use of gas chromatographic retention indices, GC/MS investigations, and chemical modifications.Methyl groups are predominantly located at C-2, and ω-3 or ω-2 positions, respectively.Chain length varies between C24 and C32.The synthesis of representative compounds is reported.