Premium
The addition of mercaptans to methyl sterculate and sterculene: An hypothesis concerning the nature of the biological activity exhibited by cyclopropene derivatives
Author(s) -
Kircher H. W.
Publication year - 1964
Publication title -
journal of the american oil chemists' society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.512
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1558-9331
pISSN - 0003-021X
DOI - 10.1007/bf02661891
Subject(s) - cyclopropene , chemistry , ring (chemistry) , medicinal chemistry , stereochemistry , organic chemistry
Lipids that contain a cyclopropene ring have been found to be biologically active when incorporated into the diet of laying hens. Methyl sterculate and sterculene (1,2‐di‐n‐octylcyclopropene) are examples of these compounds. When added to dilute solutions of methyl mercaptan and ॆ‐mercaptopropionic acid, the sulfhydryl group added to the double bond of the cyclopropene ring. The cyclopropyl methyl and 2‐carboxyethyl derivatives were isolated and their structure established. This reaction of sulfhydryl groups with the cyclopropene ring may have its counterpart in the animal舗s body, and could be the cause of the physiological effects that are observed when cyclopropene derivatives are fed to laying hens.