Cyclization of eleostearic acid

Abstract

Summary Methyl eleostearate has been thermally cyclized in good yields, and a concentrate of the cyclic product has been prepared. Using small amounts, a technique has been devised for a) aromatization of the resultant cyclohexadiene, b) oxidation to orthophthalic acid, and c) characterization of the acid as the anhydride and the imide. The significance of cyclic fatty acids in industrial processes is discussed.