The mechanism of the aqueous perchloric acid isomerization of oleic acid to γ‐stearolactone

Abstract

Abstract The migration of the double bond in the reaction of oleic acid with aqueous 67% deuteroperchloric acid occurs by the reversible intermolecular esterification of carboxylic acid by olefin; when a double bond reaches the Δ 4,5 position and intramolecular carboxylic acid‐olefin, esterification occurs to yield γ‐stearolactone.