A convenient laboratory method for preparingtrans, trans-9, 11-octadecadienoic acid

A convenient laboratory method to preparetrans,trans- 9,11-octadecadienoic acid (TTA) via a polyester intermediate is described. Ricinelaidic acid was heated at 235C under vacuum for 3-4 hr to form a polyester having a mol wt of 1,500-1,600. Pyrolysis of this polyester and simultane-ous distillation of the products gave crude dehy-drated acids. TTA was crystallized from a 95% ethanol solution of these acids, in a yield of 35%. Of the variables affecting pyrolysis, the mol wt of polyester had the greatest effect on yield of TTA.