Studies of canine adrenal polyenoic acids: locating double bonds by periodate-permanganate oxidation and gas-liquid chromatography*

Abstract

An improved micromethod has been developed for the location of double bonds in some naturally occurring polyenoic acids by oxidative cleavage of olefinic bonds with a mixture of periodate and permanganate (von Rudloff's oxidant) and analysis of the acidic fragments by gas-liquid chromatography. A method is described for calculation of the double-bond rhythm of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The structures of three polyenoic acids, isolated from canine adrenal lipids by methanolysis and preparative gas-liquid chromatography of the methyl esters, were established as 8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid, 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid, and 7,10,13,16-docosatetraenoic acid.