Synthesis of ring 14C methyl labeled retinyl acetate

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/jlcr.2580160407

A method for incorporation of a ¹⁴C-label in the ring geminal methyl moiety of Vitamin A is described. The procedure involes mono methylation of 2,6-dimethylcyclohexanone with ¹⁴C-methyl iodide as catalyzed by potassium hydride to afford 2-¹⁴C, 2,6-trimethylcyclohexanone. Subsequent condensation with an 11-carbon acetyleneic side chain, followed by reduction, acetylation and dehydration yielded ¹⁴C-retinyl acetate. Final purification was achieved by preparative thin layer chromatography.