further purification steps (Figure 23). The natural distribution of fatty acids, shown as
triglycerides in the gas chromatogram of the starting oil (Figure 24a) is converted
exclusively into the corresponding mixture of isomerically pure 1(3)-sn-monoacyl-
glycerols (Figure 24b), with only traces of the corresponding isomers or diglycerides.
A selection of 1(3)-sn-monoacylglycerols prepared in this way is listed in Table 2.
6.6 Monoglyceride sulfates
Isomerically pure monoglycerides prepared using the above-described procedure are
excellent precursors for monoglyceride sulfates, another class of skin-friendly sur-
factants (Zeidler, 1986). Using SO 3 /pyridine – the normal laboratory method – a
complete series of these products was prepared, in high chemical purities (Figure
25).
112 6 Lipase-Catalyzed Synthesis of Regioisomerically Pure Mono- and Diglycerides
Figure 24. Gas chromatograms of coconut oil and coconut monoglycerides.