Synthesis of Thiol Esters by the Reaction of Ricinoleic Acid with Thiols Under Solvent-Free Conditions

Abstract

The synthesis of several ricinoleic acid thiol esters starting from cis-(R)-12-hydroxyoctadec-9-enoic acid and thiols in the presence of N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) is described. The method is efficient for aromatic and aliphatic thiols, selectively affording the respective fat acid thiol esters in good yields under mild, neutral, and solvent-free conditions. The protocol is general and was extended to other carboxylic acids, furnishing the desired products in satisfactory yields. The (R,Z)-12-hydroxy-octadec-9-enylic acid benzylthiol ester 3a was successfully reduced to (R,Z)-12-hydroxyoctadec-9-enal 4.