Synthesis of 6- and 9-ethyloctadecanoic acids

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/ardp.19963291008

Specific branched fatty acids are of great interest in the search for a new type of drug penetration enhancers across human skin for transdermal drug delivery and in gaining an understanding of structure-activity relationships with skin lipids. A convenient synthesis has therefore been developed especially for ethyloctadecanoic acids. The successful syntheses of 6- and 9-ethyloctadecanoic acids are reported here.