Fluorescent penta- and hexaene fatty acids by a Wittig-Horner/elimination strategy

J Org Chem. 2012 Jun 15;77(12):5297-304. doi: 10.1021/jo300624h. Epub 2012 Jun 1.

Abstract

Molecular fluorescent probes have revolutionized biochemical and biophysical studies in the last decades, but with regard to lipids there has been a lack of combining the slim shape of saturated acyl chains with fluorescent properties. Our strategy to pentaene and hexaene fatty acids builds upon commercially available 4-(E)-decenal, which is subjected to a Wittig-Horner reaction after chlorination in α-position. DBU-mediated β-elimination of HCl proceeding the olefination establishes a highly conjugated system to which a salt-free Wittig reaction adds a final double bond leading to a good (Z)-selectivity of 83-86%. The double bond geometry can be optionally isomerized with I(2) to furnish the all-(E)-species. The five conjugated alkene moieties result in a longest-wavelength absorption maximum of about 350 nm. A red-shift to 380 nm was realized by addition of another double bond employing a common Wittig-Horner prolongation sequence. Stokes shifts of about 7300 and 7800 cm(-1), respectively, were observed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkenes / chemistry*
  • Fatty Acids / chemistry*
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Alkenes
  • Fatty Acids
  • Fluorescent Dyes