Synthesis of δ-stearolactone from oleic acid

delta-Stearolactone was prepared from oleic acid using concentrated sulfuric acid under various conditions in the presence of polar, nonparticipating solvents, delta-Stearolactone was formed in as high as 15:1 ratios over the thermodynamic product, gamma-lactone, in the presence of methylene chloride, 100% wt/vol, at room temperature with two equivalents of sulfuric acid for 24 h. This procedure is applicable to other olefinic fatty acids such as estolides and fatty acid methyl esters. Temperature plays a role in the regioselectivity of the cyclization for delta-lactone, as lower temperatures (20 degrees C) gave higher delta/gamma ratios. At higher temperatures (50 degrees C) in the presence of sulfuric acid and methylene chloride the yield of lactone was 75% but with a delta/gamma ratio of only 0.3:1. Cyclization of oleic acid to lactone also occurred with other acids. Oleic acid underwent reaction with perchloric acid, one equivalent, in the absence of solvent at 50 degrees C, which yielded delta-lactone in a modest yield with a 3.1 delta/gamma ratio. The same temperature effect was observed with perchloric acid that was observed in the case of sulfuric acid. Because delta-stearolactone is much more reactive than the corresponding fatty acid, fatty acid ester, or gamma-lactone, we believe that it will be a useful synthon for many new industrial products including new biodegradable detergents.