A simple, rapid micromethod for the determination of the structure of unsaturated fatty acids via ozonolysis.

A micromethod for the localization of double bonds in unsaturated fatty acids via ozonolysis employing pyrolytic cleavage of ozonides in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst is described. Cleavage of the ozonides is carried out in a gasliquid chromatographie instrument in a small glass tube, containing the catalyst, inserted in the top of the column opposite the in input heaters at 225C. Ozonides of methyl esters of straight chain unsaturated fatty acids are cleaved through the action of the catalyst to aldehyde fragments which are swept simultaneously into the column for analysis.The double bond positions are deduced from the chain length of the fragments. The method is demonstrated on methyl oleate, linoleate, linolenate and arachidonate.