Synthesis of [11-2H2], [8-2H2], [7-2H2], [6-2H2], [5-2H2], [4-2H2] and [3-2H2] cis-9-octadecenoates

Deuterated oleates have been synthesized by semihydrogenation of acetylenic intermediates. [11-²H₂]Oleate was prepared by two-carbon chain extension of the C₁₆ alcohol obtained from [1-²H₂]octyl bromide and 7-octyn-1-ol. [8-²H₂] and [7-²H₂]oleates were both prepared from dimethyl suberate, tetradeutero intermediate C₁₆ alcohols were synthesized from [1,8-²H₄] and [2,7-²H₄]octane diols by monobromination, conversion to deuterated 9-decyn-1-ols and reaction with octyl bromide. Oxidation gave [8-²H₂]-9-octadecynoate and [2,7-²H₂]-9-octadecynoate, after semihydrogenation of the latter, deuterons at C-2 were removed by exchange with aqueous alkali. [6-²H₂] and [5-²H₂]oleates were obtained from methyl 5-tetradecynoate, semihydrogenation, deuterium exchange at C-2 and two malonate extensions gave [6-²H₂]oleate; reduction with lithium aluminum deuteride, two malonate extensions and semihydrogenation gave the [5-²H₂] ester. [4-²H₂] and [3-²H₂]oleates were both obtained from methyl 7-cis-hexadecenoate, exchange of the α protons and chain extension gave the [4-²H₂] ester and reduction with lithium aluminum deuteride and chain extension gave the [3-²H₂] ester.