APPLICATIONS OF PROTON MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTRA IN FATTY ACID CHEMISTRY

Abstract

An introductory study has been made of the proton magnetic resonance spectra of fatty acids, fatty acid esters, and natural glyceride oils. Characteristic signals were recorded for the hydrogens of such groupings as hydroxy, acetoxy, and epoxy; isolated, conjugated, and methylene-interrupted double bonds; and others. Examples are given of the application of this technique in identifying the fatty acids of natural glyceride oils. Semiquantitative estimations are shown to be feasible. Evidence for Nunn's formula for sterculic acid is discussed on the basis of the spectra of the acid and its derivatives.