Synthesis of nitrolipids. All four possible diastereomers of nitrooleic acids: (E)- and (Z)-, 9- and 10-nitro-octadec-9-enoic acids.

Unsaturated fatty acids are nitrated endogenously to produce nitrated lipids. Recent studies have shown that these nitrated lipids have high chemical reactivity and profound biological implications. We report an efficient, scalable synthesis which is regiospecific and stereoselective for all possible isomers of nitrated oleic acid: (E)- and (Z)-, 9- and 10-octadec-9-enoic acids.