Rates of Oxidation of Isomeric Dihydroxy- and Tetrahydroxy-stearic Acids by Lead Tetra-acetate

Abstract

MEASUREMENTS of the rate of consumption of lead tetra-acetate, when used in strictly comparable conditions to oxidize various isomeric polyhydroxystearic acids, have revealed marked differences between the speed of oxidation of isomeric forms. We have observed these differences both in the two isomeric 9, 10-dihydroxystearic acids (m.p. 95° and 132°) and in the four known forms of 9, 10, 12, 13-tetrahydroxystearic acids (m.p. 173°, 163°, 146° and 134°). Further measurements are in progress in the group of tetrahydroxy-acids, and the complete results of this work will be reported in fuller detail later.