FACILE AND USEFUL SYNTHESIS OF ENANTIOMERIC PHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINES

The synthesis of optically active phosphatidylcholines (D- and L-4) co ntaining two of the same fatty acid moieties in a molecule is describe d. Optically pure D-enantiomers (D-4) were obtained from 2,3-di-O-acyl -sn-glycerol (D-1) in high yield by phosphorylation with phosphorus ox ychloride and subsequent treatment with choline tosylate (11a). L-Enan tiomers (L-4) were also prepared in a similar manner from 1,2-di-O-acy l-sn-glycerol (L-1). The whole procedure is easy and useful for the sy nthesis of enantiomeric phosphatidylcholines.