Derivatives of 10,16-Dihydroxyhexadecanoic Acid Isolated from Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) as Potential Material for Aliphatic Polyesters

Abstract

The main monomer of tomato cuticle, 10,16-dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid (or 10,16-dihydroxypalmitic acid; 10,16-DHPA), was isolated and used to efficiently synthesize two different monomers (16-hydroxy-10-oxo-hexadecanoic and 7-oxohexa-decanedioic acids) in addition to a dimer and linear and branched trimers. These compounds were fully characterized using NMR and MS techniques and could be used as starting materials for the synthesis of a wide range of chemicals and bio-polyesters, particularly the latter due to their physical properties, non-toxicity, and relative abundance among raw materials.

1. Introduction

There is a great need to develop chemistry that is based on the use of biodegradable and renewable resources [1]. Natural aliphatic polyesters are amongst the most important biocompatible and biodegradable materials that have received much recent attention; their applications in particular fields, such as agriculture, packaging, fiber, and biomedical research (e.g., tissue engineering, surgical suture, gene therapy, and controlled drug delivery) have grown significantly due to their availability as novel products with better performance characteristics [2,3]. Normally, polyester synthesis is performed by ester interchange reactions or by direct esterification of hydroxyacids or diacid/diol combinations from agro-resources, chemical synthesis and fossil resources (e.g., lactic acid-, fatty acid-derived materials, ε-caprolactones, different diols, adipic, sebacic or succinic acid, etc.) [4,5,6,7,8]. Development of these innovative biopolymer materials has been underway for a number of years, and continues to be an area of interest for many research fields [2,3,9].

Appreciable amounts of natural polyesters occur in higher plants as structural components; cutin, present in the cuticle that covers the aerial parts of plants, and suberin, which forms part of the periderm in woody plants, are both examples of natural polyesters [10,11,12]. Their monomeric composition is usually complex and differs among plant species [10,11,13,14,15,16,17], and this complexity probably explains why the use of cutin and suberin as commercial sources of “green” chemicals has not been well-explored. Monomers such as ω-hydroxyl-hexadecanoic acid, α,ω-hexadecanedioic acid, and α,ω-hexadecanediol, which are present in cutin and suberin, are found commercially and have been used in biological and polymeric studies [18,19,20,21]. On the other hand, aliphatic α,ω-dicarboxylic acids are used in the manufacture of engineered plastics, perfumes, lubricants, and adhesives [7].

Tomato cutin is one of the most studied cuticles [11,15,22,23]. Various depolymerization protocols have indicated that the major monomers in this unique natural polyester are 10,16-dihydroxy-hexadecanoic acid (10,16-dihydroxypalmitic acid, 10,16-DHPA; more than 70%) and 16-hydroxy-hexadecanoic acid [15,23,24]. However, studies describing the chemical or enzymatic reactions with purified monomers isolated from tomato cutin, have not yet been explored. These reactions require a robust chemical analysis in order to know the use of the monomers for the industrial applications.

Thus, the present work describes the use of 10,16-DHPA to efficiently synthesize the 16-dihydroxy-10-oxo-hexadecanoic acid (a monomer present in lime cuticle) [13,16,25], 7-oxohexadecanendioic acid [26], as well as a dimer and linear and branched trimer compounds. These products were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS) and they could be used as starting materials in the preparation of different aliphatic polyesteres with potential industrial applications.

2. Results and Discussion

2.1. Isolation of 10,16-Dihydroxyhexadecanoic Acid (1)

The monomer was isolated from tomato peels using previously reported protocols [15,23]. It was characterized by NMR analysis, and confirmed using various mass spectrometry techniques. EI-MS of compound 1 showed a molecular ion at m/z 289 [M+H]⁺, which is consistent with the molecular formula C₁₆H₃₂O₄. Dehydration fragments were observed at m/z 271 and 253 ([M+H−H₂O]⁺ and [M+H−2H₂O]⁺ respectively), and fragments observed at m/z 131, 141, and 169 suggested the hydroxyl position at C10. 10,16-Dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid has been synthesized and compared with the isolated monomer from tomato [27]. Both isomers, 9,16-DHPA and 10,16-DHPA, are usually described as mixtures in previously published studies [28,29]. In this study, we found 10,16-DHPA as the main isomer isolated from tomato cutin according to the mass analysis from different derivatives (Table 1).

Table 1. EI-MS data of 10,16-DHPA and its derivatives EI-MS data of 10,16-DHPA and its derivatives.

Compounds	MH+	A	B	C	D	E	F	G
1	289	253(10)	157(14) 140(−H2O)(9)	131(26)	169(-H2O)(100)	---	271(1)	18(4)
R1 = H R2 = OH
R3 = H R4 = H
2	403	385(5)	---	245(13)	187	---	271	132(11)
R1 = H R2 = OH					169(−H2O)(11)		253(−H2O)(8)
R3 = H R4 = TBS
3	517	499(7)	---	359(9)	301(7)	---	---	132(11)
R1 = H R2 = OTBS
R3 = H R4 = TBS
4	317	271(9)	185(22)	---	215(33)	101(40)	299(45)	---
R1 = CH2CH3 R2 = OH
R3 = H R4 = H
5	300	----	157(79)	---	185(62)	----	---	----
R1 = H R2 = (=O)
R3 = (=O) R4 = H
6b	---	269(34)	---	---	185(28)	---	---	251(35) b
R1 = H R2 = (=O)
R3 = H R4 = H

^a Relative peak intensities are indicated in parentheses; ^b [269−H2O]⁺.

Table 1. EI-MS data of 10,16-DHPA and its derivatives EI-MS data of 10,16-DHPA and its derivatives.

Compounds	MH+	A	B	C	D	E	F	G
1	289	253(10)	157(14) 140(−H2O)(9)	131(26)	169(-H2O)(100)	---	271(1)	18(4)
R1 = H R2 = OH
R3 = H R4 = H
2	403	385(5)	---	245(13)	187	---	271	132(11)
R1 = H R2 = OH					169(−H2O)(11)		253(−H2O)(8)
R3 = H R4 = TBS
3	517	499(7)	---	359(9)	301(7)	---	---	132(11)
R1 = H R2 = OTBS
R3 = H R4 = TBS
4	317	271(9)	185(22)	---	215(33)	101(40)	299(45)	---
R1 = CH2CH3 R2 = OH
R3 = H R4 = H
5	300	----	157(79)	---	185(62)	----	---	----
R1 = H R2 = (=O)
R3 = (=O) R4 = H
6b	---	269(34)	---	---	185(28)	---	---	251(35) b
R1 = H R2 = (=O)
R3 = H R4 = H

^a Relative peak intensities are indicated in parentheses; ^b [269−H2O]⁺.

2.2. Preparation OF 7-Oxohexadecanedioic ACID (5)

10,16-DHPA was oxidized using PCC as oxidant reagent. The reaction mixture was purified by column chromatography and eluted with hexane-AcOEt (3:7, v/v) to give 7-oxohexadecanedioic acid (5) as the main product. EI-MS showed a molecular ion at m/z 300 [M+H]⁺, which is consistent with the molecular formula C₁₆H₂₈O₅. Fragments observed at m/z 185 and 157 confirmed the presence of the carbonyl group at position C7. The successful conversion of hydroxyl groups to keto and carboxyl groups is evident from the ¹H-NMR spectra that show the complete disappearance of signals corresponding to 10,16-dihydroxy groups at 3.60 ppsm and the appearance of ¹H-NMR signals for the product at 2.36 (m, 8H) and 1.62 ppm (m, 8H), respectively. The ¹³C-NMR spectra show the presence of the keto group at 211.73 ppm and two carboxylic groups at 180.23 and 179.96 ppm (HOCO-16 and HOCO-1, respectively) to confirm the complete oxidation.

Aliphatic α,ω-dicarboxylic acids (α,ω-diacids) are used for the manufacture of engineered plastics, perfumes, fragrances, lubricants and adhesives. They are mainly produced by chemical protocols from non-renewable petrochemical feedstock, and these chemical routes can be tedious and result in unwanted byproducts [7].

Some long-chain unsaturated and epoxidized dicarboxylic acids (9,10-epoxy octadecanedioic and 1,18-cis-9-octanedioic acids for instance) can be found in Nature [7]. These and related monomers would be useful to design and synthesize unique functional polyesters that would be also biodegradable. However, they are difficult to synthesize by chemical methods and are currently commercially unavailable.

2.3. Preparation OF 16-Hydroxy-10-Oxo-Hexadecanoic ACID (6b)

16-Hydroxy-10-oxo-hexadecanoic acid (6b) is a natural monomer identified in different cuticles [13,16,25]. In order to prepare this monomer, compound 2 was oxidized with PCC to give the respective keto group (6a). The protective group of HO-16 (TBS) was removed from compound 6a with TBAF to give compound 6b in good yield.

Compound 6a was used to confirm the presence of the OH group at position C-10 in monomer (1) isolated from tomato. Its corresponding EI-MS spectrum did not yield a molecular ion. However, the observed fragments were consistent with the molecular formula C₂₂H₄₄O₄Si, m/z 383 [400−H2O]⁺, and the fragment at m/z 185, which corresponds to the cleavage at C10-C11, confirms the presence of the C=O at carbon 10.

Other fragments were found in different derivatives to corroborate the hydroxyl position at C10; compound 2 produced a fragment at m/z 245 and compound 3 at m/z 301 and 359 (Table 1).

2.4. Preparation and Characterization OF Dimer 7 and Trimer 8

Dimer and trimer 10,16-DHPA derivatives were prepared according to Scheme 1 and Scheme 2. Different equivalents of t-butyldimethylsilyl chloride were used in order to successfully protect either one or both hydroxyl groups of the monomer. Although the reaction yielded mainly one protected monomer, a small amount of other compounds was present within the mixture. Radial chromatography was an efficient technique to separate the mixture using CH₂Cl₂ and CH₂Cl₂-MeOH (95:5, v/v) as eluents. The reaction gave approximately 85%–90% yield of a yellow pale oils characterized by NMR as 10-hydroxy-16-(ter-butyl-dimethylsilyloxy) hexadecanoic acid (2) and 10-16-bis(ter-butyldimethyl-silyloxy) hexadecanoic acid (3).

Scheme 1. Protective and oxidative reactions of 10,16-dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid (10,16-DHPA, 1).

Scheme 1. Protective and oxidative reactions of 10,16-dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid (10,16-DHPA, 1).

The ¹H-NMR spectrum of compound 2 showed a singlet at δ 0.04 ppm while compound 3 showed two singlets at δ 0.04 and 0.03 ppm, indicating the presence of 1 and 2 TBS groups, respectively. Small but significant differences in the displacement of silyl methyl groups can be found in the ¹³C spectra to assign the TBS protection of hydroxyl groups at C10 and/or C16. Compound 2 showed a peak at δ −4.41 ((CH₃)₂SiO-C16) while compound 3 showed two signals at δ −4.41 and −5.26 ((CH₃)₂SiO-C10), thus confirming the presence of TBS in both hydroxyl groups.

It is well known that dihydroxy methyl esters undergo rapid oligomerization [27], and this behavior is also present in the monomer extraction procedure. Two small fractions corresponding to the methyl 10,16-dihydroxyhexadecanoate and polymeric fractions were identified by NMR analysis. The proportions of these fragments increased when the pH was lower than 5 during the monomer extraction, indicating that the reaction between the monomer and methanol, and the subsequent oligomerization process, is due to the acidic conditions. In order to avoid this, ethyl ester of 10,16-DHPA (4) was prepared by treating 1 with anhydrous EtOH under a catalytic amount of HCl, thereby producing only the solid product 4, which was fully characterized by NMR and EI-MS.

Scheme 2. Dimer and branched trimer obtained from 10,16-DHPA derivatives (Numeration and NMR assignments were given according to IUPAC names).

Scheme 2. Dimer and branched trimer obtained from 10,16-DHPA derivatives (Numeration and NMR assignments were given according to IUPAC names).

Attempts to prepare the corresponding co-dimer using equimolar amounts of compounds 3 and 4, were successful by using DCC and DMAP in CH₂Cl₂. The reaction was followed by TLC (CHCl₃-MeOH, 95:5, v/v) and was stopped when compound 4 was consumed after four days. Two products were separated by radial chromatography and characterized by NMR and MS as compound 7a and 9. The ¹H-NMR of compound 7a (R_f 0.7, CHCl₃-MeOH, 98:2, v/v) showed a triplet at δ 4.05 (H-16, 2H), indicating that the ester group is linking both monomers. The ¹³C-NMR spectrum revealed two peaks at δ 173.98 and 173.87, corresponding to both carbonyl groups. The structure of the co-dimer was confirmed by HMBC through cross-peak linking H-16 at δ 4.05 with COOH at δ 173.87).

Deprotection of compound 7a was performed with HF, and the main product was isolated and characterized as compound 7b. HR-FABMS revealed a molecular ion at m/z 586.4809 (calculated 586.4809) consistent with molecular formula C₃₄H₆₆O₇.

Compound 9 was characterized as 10,16-dihydroxyhexadecanoic anhydride. ¹H-NMR analysis revealed a similar spectrum as compound 3. However, compound 9 had a different R_f (0.85, CHCl₃-MeOH, 95:5, v/v) as compared to compound 3 (R_f 0.56, CHCl₃-MeOH, 95:5, v/v).

In a new reaction, 2.5 equiv. of compound 3 and 1 equiv. of compound 4 yielded a branched trimer. After five days, compound 4 was consumed, and three products were separated and purified under the conditions above described. In addition to compounds 7a (30 mg, 11%) and 9 (12 mg, 2%), the predominant compound was 8a (285 mg, 65%), according to NMR and MS analyses.

¹H-NMR of compound 8a (R_f 0.65, CHCl₃-MeOH, 98:2, v/v) showed a quintuplet at δ 4.85, indicating the presence of an ester bond in position C10, as well as a triplet at δ 4.04 (H-16, 2H), demonstrating the presence of an ester group at C16, as previously shown. Upon ¹³C-NMR analysis, three peaks at δ 173.94, 173.84, and 173.66, corresponding to the three carbonyl groups, were observed. The trimer was confirmed by HMBC thorough cross-peaks of H-10 at δ 4.80 with CO at δ 173.8 and H-16 at δ 4.05 with CO at δ 173.8. The NMR data of these compounds were compared with those previously reported for isolated oligomers from the tomato peel cutin [30,31].

Deprotection of compound 8a was undertaken with HF, and the main product was isolated and characterized as compound 8b. HR FABMS yield a molecular ion at m/z 856.7003 consistent with molecular formula C₅₀H₉₆O₁₀.

2.5. Preparation of Linear Trimer

Production of the linear trimer was attempted using equimolar amounts of compounds 3 and 6b (Scheme 3). After 6 days, the reaction was completed. However, different products with very close R_f’s were formed, and the linear trimer was recovered in low yield. The ¹H-NMR spectrum showed similarities with compound 7a: a quartet at δ 4.12, a triplet at δ 4.05, triplet at δ 2.28, and singlets at δ 0.89, 0.88, 0.05, and 0.03 (-OTBS groups). However, there was no presence of a quintuplet at δ 4.85, as in compound 8a, indicating the esterification in the secondary OH.

Scheme 3. Preparation of a linear trimer from compounds 3 and 7b.

Scheme 3. Preparation of a linear trimer from compounds 3 and 7b.

3. Experimental

3.1. General

N,N’-Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), 4-dimethylamino pyridine (DMAP), imidazole, t-butyl-dimethylsilyl chloride (TBSCl), acetonitrile, dioxane, DMF, methanol, and toluene of reagent grade were purchased from Aldrich (St. Louis, MO) and used without further purification.

NMR spectra were acquired on a Varian 500 MHz NMR system or on a Varian 300 MHz (Palo Alto, CA) as specified. The ¹H and ¹³C chemical shifts are given in units of δ (ppm) relative to tetramethylsilane (TMS), where δ (TMS) = 0 ppm.

Mass spectral (MS) data were acquired on a JEOL JMS-GCmate II. Masses were scanned between 200 and 1500 m/z, using power ionization values between 60 and 250 V depending on whether molecular ions or fragments were desired. HRFAB were registered on a JEOL JMS-700 using m-nitrobenzyl alcohol as a matrix.

3.2. Isolation of 10,16-Dihydroxypalmitic Acid (10,16-DHPA, 1)

10,16-DHPA was obtained by depolymerization of tomato cutin as previously described [12,15,22], and its structural characterization was determined by comparing the NMR and MS data with those previously reported [27].

3.3. Synthesis

3.3.1. Preparation of 10-hydroxy-16-OTBS-PA (2) and 10,16-di-OTBS-PA (3)

Hydroxyl groups of 10,16-DHPA were protected using various equivalents of t-butyldimethylsilyl chloride (TBSCl) in separate reactions. A mixture of compound 1 (100 mg, 0.34 mmol), TBSCl (52.3 mg, 0.34 mmol), and imidazole (23.6 mg, 0.34 mmol) in DMF (2 mL) was used to prepare compound 2. In a separate reaction, a mixture of compound 1 (100 mg, 0.34 mmol), TBSCl (104.6 mg, 0.69 mmol), and imidazole (47.2 mg, 0.69 mmol) in DMF (3 mL) was used to prepare compound 3. Both reactions were stirred at room temperature for 1 h, then a mixture of hexane-CH₂Cl₂ (1:1, v:v) was added after which the mixture was filtered. The organic phase was washed with a saturated solution of ammonium chloride (1 M, 50 mL) and water (3 × 50 mL) and dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄. After evaporation of the solvent at reduced pressure, both crude products were purified by radial chromatography (chromatotron). They were eluted successively with hexane, CH₂Cl₂, and CH₂Cl₂-MeOH (9:1 and 4:1; v:v), giving pure compounds 2 and 3 as colorless oils.

16-(tert-Butyldimethylsilyloxy)-10-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid (2). Colorless oil (338.4 mg, 84% yield) ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 3.60 (t and m, J = 6.57 Hz, 3H) CH-10 and CH₂-16, 2.34 (t, J = 7.46 Hz, 2H) CH₂-2, 1.63 (quint, J = 7.60 Hz, 2H) CH₂-15, 1.51 (quint, J = 7.70 Hz, 2H) CH₂-3, 1.43 (m, 4H) CH₂-9 and CH₂-11, 1.30 (m, 16H) CH₂-4 to CH₂-8 and CH₂-12 to CH₂-14, 0.89 (s, 9H) Si-tBu, and 0.04 (s, 6H) Si(Me)₂. ¹³C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 178.96 (CO), 72.29 (C-10), 63.01 (C-16), 37.02 and 37.01 (C-9 and C-11), 33.98, 32.65, 29.68, 29.64, 29.33, 29.13, 29.02, 25.97, 25.26, 25.19 and 24.70 (C-2 to C-8 and C-12 to C-15), 25.93 SiC(Me)₃, 18.15 SiC(Me)₃ and −4.41 Si(Me)₂. FAB-HRMS (calc. for C₂₂H₄₆O₄Si: 402.3165), found 402.3164. EI-MS m/z: 385 [M−H₂O]⁺, 326 s[M−C₂H₃O₂−OH]⁺, 245 [M−C₉H₁₇O₂]⁺, 133 [C₆H₁₆Osi+H]⁺.

10,16-Bis-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)hexadecanoic acid (3). Colorless oil (475.5 mg, 92% yield). ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 3.60 (t and m, J = 6.61 Hz, 3H) CH-10 and CH₂-16, 2.33 (t, J = 7.33 Hz, 2H) CH₂-2, 1.62 (quint, J = 6.60 Hz, 2H) CH₂-15, 1.50 (quint, J = 6.60 Hz, 2H) CH₂-3, 1.20–1.44 (m, 20H) CH₂-4 to CH₂-9, CH₂-11 to CH₂-14, 0.89 (s, 9H) Si-tBu, 0.88 (s, 9H) Si-tBu, 0.04 (s, 6H) Si(Me)₂ and 0.03 (s, 6H) Si(Me)₂. ¹³C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 178.90 (CO), 72.33 (C-10), 63.33 (C-16), 37.08 (C-9 and C-11), 32.82 (C-2 and C-15), 29.79, 29.66, 29.45, 29.23, 29.08, 25.81, 25.33, 25.27 and 24.73 (C-3 to C-8 and C-12 to C-14), 25.98 SiC(Me)₃-16, 18.38 SiC(Me)₃−16 and −5.26 Si(Me)₂−16; 25.93 SiC(Me)₃−10, 18.16 SiC(Me)₃−10 and −4.41 Si(Me)₂−10. FAB-HRMS (calc. for C₂₈H₆₀O₄Si₂: 516.4030), found 516.4030. EI-MS m/z: 499 [M−OH]⁺, 459 [M−C₂H₃O₂]⁺, 359 [M−C₉H₁₇O₂]⁺, 327 [459−C6H15OSi]⁺, 301 [M−C₁₂H₂₇OSi]⁺.

3.3.2. Preparation of ethyl-10,16-dihydroxy hexadecanoate (4)

HCl (0.05 mL) was added to a stirred solution of compound 1 (0.86 mM in absolute ethanol, 0.17 mmol). The mixture was allowed to react overnight at room temperature, and then evaporated at reduced pressure. The remaining HCl was co-evaporated with ethanol, and product 4 was recovered without further purification from CH₂Cl₂.

Ethyl 10,16-dihydroxyhexadecanoate (4). Pale yellow wax (300.5 mg, 95% yield). ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 4.11 (q, J = 7.14 Hz, 2H) –OCH₂CH₃, 3.63 (t and m, J = 9.1 Hz, 3H) CH-10 and CH₂-16, 2.27 (t, J = 7.52 Hz, 2H) CH₂-2, 1.60-1.22 (m, 27H) –OCH₂CH₃, CH₂-3 to CH₂-9 and CH₂-11 to CH₂-15. ¹³C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 173.92 (CO), 71.94 (C-10), 62.99 (C-16), 37.47 (C-9), 37.35 (C-11), 34.37 (C-2), 32.71 (C-15), 29.40, 29.25, 29.21, 29.19, 29.08, 28.91, 25.53, 25.40 and 24.76 (C-3 to C-8 and C-12 to C-14), 60.16 (–OCH₂CH₃), 14.24 (–OCH₂CH₃). EI-MS m/z: 317 [M+H]⁺, 299 [M−H₂O]⁺, 253 [299−C2H5O]⁺, 235 [253−H2O]⁺, 215 [M−C₆H₁₃O]⁺, 185 [M−C₇H₁₅O₂]⁺, 101 [M−C₁₂H₂₃O₃]⁺.

3.3.3. Oxidation of 10,16-DHPA (1) and compound 2 with pyridinium chlorochromate (PCC)

To a stirred solution of PCC (0.23 mmol) in CH₃CN, 10,16-DHPA (Compound 1) (0.12 mmol) or compound 2 (0.12 mmol) dissolved in CH₃CN was added in separated reactions. After 24 h, the reaction was stopped and filtered on celite. The solvent was evaporated under vacuum, and the residue was redissolved in ethyl ether, washed with brine, dried, and concentrated to give mainly compounds 5 and 6a.

7-Oxohexadecanedioic acid (5). Brown solid, (32 mg, 63%). ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 2.36 (m, 8H) CH₂-2,6,8 and CH₂-15, 1.62 (m, 8H) CH₂-3,5,9 and CH₂-14, 1.30 (m, 10H) CH₂-4,10,11,12 and CH₂-13. ¹³C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 211.73 (CO-7), 180.23 (COOH-16), 179.96 (COOH-1), 42.94 (C-8), 42.52 (C-6), 34.16 (C-2), 33.96 (C-15), 29.21, 29.09, 28.90, 28.67, 24.72, 24.53, 24.37, 23.91 and 23.49 (C-3 to C-5 and C-9 to C-14) EI-HRMS m/z 300.1944 (C₁₆H₂₈O₅, 300.1937). EI-MS m/z 300 [M]⁺, 241 [M−C₂H₃O₂]⁺, 185 [M−C₆H₁₁O₂]⁺, 157 [M−C₇H₁₁O₃]⁺.

16-(tert-Butyldimethylsilyloxy)-10-oxo-hexadecanoic acid (6a). Pale yellow oil, (71 mg, 72%), ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 3.60 (t, J = 6.57 Hz, 2H) CH₂-16, 2.39–2.28 (m, 6H) CH₂-2, CH₂-9 and CH₂-11, 1.63-1.66 (m, 20H) CH₂-3 to CH₂-8 and CH₂-12 to CH₂-15, 0.89 (s, 9H) Si-tBu and 0.05 (s, 6H) Si(Me)₂. ¹³C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 212.10 (CO-10), 179.40 (CO), 63.29 (C-16), 42.56 (C-9), 42.49 (C-11), 33.80 (C-2), 33.70 (C-15), 29.28, 29.14, 28.90, 28.72, 25.39, 24.71 and 24.07 (C-3 to C-8 and C-12 to C-14), 25.97 SiC(Me)₃, 18.38 SiC(Me)₃ and −4.41 Si(Me)₂. EI-HRMS m/z 400.3008 (C₂₂H₄₄O₄Si, 400.3008). EI-MS m/z 400 [M]⁺, 382 [M−OH]⁺, 215 [M−C₁₀H₁₇O₃]⁺, 185 [M−C₁₂H₂₇OSi]⁺.

Deprotection of compound 6a. Compound 6a (1.23 mmol) in 5 mL THF at 0 °C was treated with TBAF (5 mL, 1 M in THF, 5 mmol) and then stirred at room temperature for 2 h. The mixture was then quenched with aqueous NH₄Cl, extracted with Et₂O, washed with brine, and dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄. The product was purified by column chromatography using CH₂Cl₂-MeOH (98:2, v/v) as eluent to afford compound 6b as a wax yellow pale (31 mg, 86% yield).

16-Hydroxy-10-oxo-hexadecanoic acid (6b). Pale yellow wax (31 mg, 86%) ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 3.64 (t, J = 6.60 Hz, 2H) CH₂-16, 2.38–2.33 (m, 6H) CH₂-2, CH₂-9 and CH₂-11, 1.62–1.53 (m, 8H) CH₂-3, CH₂-8, CH₂-12 and CH₂-15, 1.33-1.25 (m, 12H) CH₂-4 to CH₂-7, CH₂-13 and CH₂-14. ¹³C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 214.19 (CO-10), 181.36 (CO), 64.89 (C-16), 43.56 (C-9), 42.49 (C-11), 33.80 (C-2), 33.70 (C-15), 29.28, 29.14, 28.90, 28.72, 25.39, 24.71 and 24.07 (C-3 to C-8 and C-12 to C-14). EI-MS m/z 269 [M−OH]⁺, 251 [M−2H₂O]⁺, 185 [M−C₆H₁₃O]⁺.

3.3.4. Dimerization of 10,16-DHPA derivatives

To a stirred solution of 3 (174 mg, 0.33 mmol) and 4 (106.3 mg, 0.33 mmol) in dry CH₂Cl₂ (4 mL), DMAP (41.05 mg, 0.33 mmol) and DCC (138.6 mg, 0.67 mmol) were added. The reaction mixture was then stirred at room temperature for four days. A mixture of hexane-CH₂Cl₂ (1:1, v:v) was added, and the reaction mixture was filtered. The filtrate was washed with saturated NaHCO₃ and brine, and dried with anhydrous Na₂SO₄ after which the solvent was evaporated to dryness. The crude product was purified by radial chromatography (chromatotron) through successive elutions with hexane, CH₂Cl₂, and CH₂Cl₂-MeOH (9:1 and 4:1; v:v).

16-Ethoxy-7-hydroxy-16-oxohexadecyl 10’,16’-bis(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy) hexadecanoate (7a). ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 4.12 (q, J = 7.14 Hz, 2H) –OCH₂CH₃, 4.05 (t, J = 6.72 Hz, 2H) CH₂-1, 3.60 (m, J = 6.55 Hz, 4H) CH₂-16’, CH-10’ and CH-7, 2.28 (t, J = 7.54 Hz, 4H) CH₂-2’ and CH₂-15, 1.61 (m, 4H) CH₂-15’ and CH₂-2, 1.50 (m, 4H) CH₂-3’ and CH₂-14, 1.46–1.27 (m, 44H), 1.25 (t, J = 7.14 Hz, 3H) –OCH₂CH₃, 0.89 (s, 9H) Si-tBu, 0.88 (s, 9H) Si-tBu, 0.05 (s, 6H) SiMe₂ and 0.03 (s, 6H) SiMe₂. ¹³C-NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 173.98 (CO-16), 173.87 (CO-1’), 72.31 (C-10’), 71.85 (C-7), 64.27 (C-1), 63.27 (C-16’), 37.48 (C-8), 37.06 (C-6), 34.33 (C-15), 28.56 (C-2), 37.34, 37.09, 32.81, 29.63, 29.58, 29.45, 29.22, 29.13, 29.19, 29.17, 29.07, 28.56, 25.96, 25.52, 25.30, 24.98 and 24.92 (C-3 to C-5; C-9 to C-14; C-2’ to C-9’ and C-11’ to C-15’), 60.13 (–OCH₂CH₃), 14.23 (–OCH₂CH₃), 25.96 SiC(Me)₃-16’, 18.35 SiC(Me)₃−16’, -5.28 Si(Me)₂−16’; 25.91 SiC(Me)₃−10’, 18.13 SiC(Me)₃−10’ and −4.43 Si(Me)₂−10’.

Deprotection of 16-ethoxy-7-hydroxy-16-oxohexadecyl 10’,16’-bis(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy hexadecanoate) (7a). Compound 7a (30 mg) was dissolved in 100 mL of CH₂Cl₂, and 0.5 mL of hydrofluoric acid was added. The reaction was stopped after 5 min, and product 7b was extracted and purified.

16-Ethoxy-7-hydroxy-16-oxohexadecyl-10’,16’-dihydroxyhexadecanoate (7b). Colorless oil, (19 mg, 92%). ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 4.11 (q, J = 7.14 Hz, 2H) –CH₂CH₃, 4.05 (t, J = 6.72 Hz, 2H) CH₂-1, 3.60 (t, J = 6.55 Hz, 4H) CH₂-16’, CH-10’ and CH-7, 2.28 (t, J = 7.54 Hz, 4H) CH₂-2’ and CH₂-15, 1.61 (m, 4H), 1.50 (m, 4H), 1.46–1.27 (m, 44H), 1.26 (t, J = 7.14 Hz, 3H). ¹³C-NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 178.91 (CO-16), 173.53 (CO-1’), 72.30 (C-10’), 71.83 (C-7), 64.20 (C-1), 63.29 (C-16’), 60.09 (–OCH₂CH₃). HR-FABMS (calc. for C₃₄H₆₆O₇: 586.4809), found 586.4809.

3.3.5. Branched trimer of 10,16-DHPA derivatives

To a stirred solution of 3 (350 mg, 0.67 mmol) and 4 (106.3 mg, 0.33 mmol) in dry CH₂Cl₂ (4 mL), DMAP (82.1 mg, 0.67 mmol), and DCC (277.2 mg, 1.34 mmol) were added. The reaction mixture was then stirred at room temperature for five days, poured into NH₄Cl saturated solution (5 mL), and extracted with dichloromethane (3 × 20 mL); the extract was washed with brine (2 × 10 mL), dried with anhydrous Na₂SO₄ after which the solvent was evaporated to dryness. The crude product was purified by radial chromatography (chromatotron), successively eluted with hexane, CH₂Cl₂, and CH₂Cl₂-MeOH (9:1 and 4:1; v:v).

16-Ethoxy-16-oxohexadecane-1,7-diyl-bis(10’,16’-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-oxy)hexadecanoate (8a). ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 4.85 (quint, J = 6.50 Hz, 1H) H-7, 4.11 (q, J = 7.14 Hz, 2H) –OCH₂CH₃, 4.04 (t, J = 6.77 Hz, 2H) CH₂-1, 3.59 (m, 6H) CH₂-16’, CH₂-16’’, CH-10’ and CH-10’’, 2.28 (m, 6H) CH₂-2’, CH₂-2’’ and CH₂-15, 1.61 (m, 12H) CH₂-15’, CH₂-15’’, CH₂-11’, CH₂-11’’, CH₂-9’ and CH₂-9’’, 1.50 (m, 6H) CH₂-3’, CH₂-3’’ and CH₂-14, 1.46-1.27 (m, 57H), 0.89 (s, 18H) Si-tBu, 0.88 (s, 18H) Si-tBu, 0.04 (s, 12H) SiMe₂ and 0.03 (s, 12H) SiMe₂. ¹³C-NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃) Monomer CO₂Et terminal δ 173.94 (CO-1’’), 173.84 (CO-16), 173.66 (CO-1’), 73.89 (C-7), 72.35 (C-10’ and C-10’’), 64.27 (C-2), 63.29 (C-16’), 60.13 (C-16’’), 34.71 (C-15), 34.37 (C-2’ and C-2’’), 37.14, 37.10, 32.92, 29.63, 29.85, 29.52, 29.49, 29.21, 29.19, 29.13, 29.11, 29.07, 28.59, 25.62, 25.33, 25.31, 25.11, and 24.94 (C-3 to C-5, C-9 to C-14, C-3’ to C-9’, C-11’ to C-15’, C-3’’ to C-9’’ and C-11’’ to C-15’’), 63.29 (–OCH₂CH₃), 14.26 (–OCH₂CH₃), 25.98 SiC(Me)₃−16’, 18.37 SiC(Me)₃−16’, −5.26 Si(Me)₂-16’, 25.94 SiC(Me)₃−10’, 18.15 SiC(Me)₃−10’, −4.41 Si(Me)₂−10’, 25.98 SiC(Me)₃−16’’, 18.37 SiC(Me)₃−16’’, −5.26 Si(Me)₂−16’’, 25.94 SiC(Me)₃−10’’, 18.16 SiC(Me)₃−10’’ and -4.41 Si(Me)₂−10’’.

Deprotection of compound 8a (60 mg) was carried out following the protocol previously described for deprotection of compound 7a.

16-Ethoxy-16-oxohexadecane-1,7-diyl bis(10’,16’-dihydroxyhexadecanoate) (8b). White wax (35 mg, 87.4%). ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 4.85 (quint, J = 6.50 Hz, 1H) CH-7, 4.12 (q, J = 7.14 Hz, 2H) –OCH₂CH₃, 4.04 (t, J = 6.77 Hz, 2H) CH₂-1, 3.59 (m, 8H) CH₂-16’, CH₂-16’’, CH₂-10’ and CH₂-10’, 2.27 (m, 6H) CH₂-2’, CH₂-2’ ’ and CH₂-15, 1.61 (m, 12H) CH₂-15’, CH₂-15’’, CH₂-11’, CH₂-11’’, CH₂-9’ and CH₂-9’’, 1.50 (m, 6H) CH₂-3’, CH₂-3’’ and CH₂-14, 1.46-1.27 (m, 57H). ¹³C-NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 173.94 (CO-1’’), 173.85 (CO-16), 173.66 (CO-1’), 73.89 (C-7), 72.35 (C-10’ and C-10’’), 64.27 (C-2), 63.33 (C-16’ and C-16’’), 34.71 (C-15), 34.37 (C-2’ and C-2’’), 37.14, 37.10, 32.92, 29.63, 29.85, 29.52, 29.49, 29.21, 29.19, 29.11, 29.13, 29.11, 29.07, 28.59, 25.62, 25.31, 25.33, 25.11, 24.95 and 24.94 (C-3 to C-5, C-9 to C-14, C-3’ to C-9’, C-11’ to C-15’, C-3’’ to C-9’’ and C-11’’ to C-15’’), 63.30 (–OCH₂CH₃) and 14.26 (–OCH₂CH₃). HR-FABMS (calc. for C₅₀H₉₆O₁₀: 856.7003), found 856.7002.

3.3.6. Linear trimer of 10,16-DHPA derivatives

To a stirred solution of 7b (50 mg, 0.08 mmol) and 3 (14.8 mg, 0.08 mmol) in dry CH₂Cl₂ (4 mL), DMAP (5.7 mg, 0.04 mmol) and DCC (17.5 mg, 0.08 mmol) were added. The reaction mixture was then stirred for six days at room temperature. The reaction was stopped, poured into an NH₄Cl solution (5 mL), and extracted with dichloromethane (3 × 20 mL) after which the extract was washed with water (2 × 10 mL), dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and evaporated in vacuo. The crude product was purified by radial chromatography (chromatotron) through successive elutions with hexane, CH₂Cl₂, and CH₂Cl₂-MeOH (9:1 and 4:1; v:v).

16-Ethoxy-7-hydroxy-16-oxohexadecyl 16-((10,16-bis((tert-butyldimethylsilyl)oxy)hexadecanoyl) oxy)-10-hydroxyhexadecanoate (10). Colorless oil (9.2 mg, 10%) ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) monomer CO₂Et terminal: δ ppm 4.11 (q, J = 7.14 Hz, 2H) –OCH₂CH₃, 4.05 (t, J = 6.72 Hz, 2H) CH₂-1, 3.60 (t, J = 6.55 Hz, 5H) CH₂-16’’, CH-10’’, CH-10’ and CH-7, 2.28 (t, J = 7.54 Hz, 6H) CH₂-2’’, CH₂-2’ and CH₂-15, 1.61 (m, 4H) CH₂-15’ and CH₂-2, 1.50 (m, 4H) CH₂-3’ and CH₂-14, 1.46-1.27 (m, 44H), 1.26 (t, J = 7.14 Hz, 3H) –OCH₂CH₃, 0.89 (s, 9H) Si-tBu, 0.88 (s, 9H) Si-tBu, 0.05 (s, 6H) SiMe₂ and 0.03 (s, 6H) SiMe₂. ¹³C-NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 174.01 (CO-16), 173.97 (CO-1’), 173.87 (CO-1’), 72.34 (C-10’), 72.31 (C-10’), 71.80 (C-7), 64.25 (C-1), 63.27 (C-16’), 63.25 (C-16’), 37.45 (C-8), 37.06 (C-6), 34.33 (C-15), 28.56 (C-2), 37.34, 37.09, 32.81, 29.63, 29.58, 29.45, 29.22, 29.17, 29.13, 29.19, 29.07, 28.56, 25.96, 25.79, 25.52, 25.30, 24.98 and 24.92 (C-3 to C-5, C-9 to C-14, C-2’ to C-9’, C-11’ to C-15’, C-2’’ to C-9’’ and C-11’’ to C-15’’), 60.13 (–OCH₂CH₃), 14.23 (–OCH₂CH₃), 25.97 SiC(Me)₃−16’’, 18.38 SiC(Me)₃-16’’, −5.26 Si(Me)₂−16’’; 25.93 SiC(Me)₃−10’’, 18.15 SiC(Me)₃−10’’ and −4.42 Si(Me)₂−10’’.

4. Conclusions

Here, we have shown a simple, efficient protocol to perform controlled dimerization and trimerization, as well as the selective oxidation of 10,16-DHPA.

The above simple reactions took advantage of the hydroxyl groups at the C-10 and C-16 positions which were strategically functionalized in order to produce the monomers 7-oxohexadecanedioic and 10-oxo-16-hydroxyhexadecanoic acids, as well as a dimer and branched and linear trimers, which were fully characterized by different spectroscopic analysis. 10-Oxo-16-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid, the dimer and linear trimer could be useful in the preparation of aliphatic polyesters while the branched trimer can lead to the formation of dendrimers, and the 7-oxohexadecanedioic would be useful to obtain linear polyester with some diols. The effect of the products obtained here in will give to the polyesters functionalizable keto or hydroxyl moieties which can be modified, derivatized, or cross-linked at these sites, to produce polymers with bioactive moieties for medical applications.