RuO4 catalyzed dihydroxylation for the synthesis of mixed medium-chain triacylglycerols

RuO4 catalyzed dihydroxylation of allyl acylates (C5 to C12) to glyceryl acylates is reported. The dihydroxylation was a major product (61–85%) with C5–C7 whereas carbonyl compounds by double bond fission were major with C8–C12 systems. 1-Hexanoylglycerol, obtained in high yields (85%), was further acylated with medium chain fatty acid chlorides to prepare mixed medium chain triglycerides (85–90%). Hence, a facile preparation of triacylglycerols such as C6–C6–C6, C6–C8–C8, C6–C10–C10, and C6–C12–C12 is accomplished.