Synthesis of cerebroside B1b with antiulcerogenic activity I. Synthesis of ceramides with optically active α-hydroxypalmitic acids.

Abstract Synthesis of four diastereomeric ceramides including the aglycone of cerebroside B 1b ( 1b ) was described. The crucial step in the synthesis of cerebroside B 1b consists in a regio- and stereoselective formation of the erythro-sphingosine moiety by the reaction of dienal 4 with 2-nitroethanol followed by resolution with optically active α-hydroxypalmitic acids.