1-O-benzyl-2-O-methyl-rac-glycerol: a key intermediate for synthesis of ether glycerolipids.

Abstract A new scheme for synthesis of saturated 1- O -alkyl-2- O -methyl- rac -glycerolipids is described. The reductive cleavage of 2- O -methyl-1,3- O , O -benzylideneglycerol with BH 3 · THF complex leads to 1- O -benzyl-2- O -methyl- rac -glycerol, which is a key intermediate for the facile preparation of 1- O -alkyl-2- O -methyl- rac -glycerol and derivatives.