Useful direct conversion of tetrahydropyranyl ethers of fatty alcohols into fatty acids

Tetrahydro-2-pyranyl ethers from fatty primary alcohols can be converted in a one-step procedure into the corresponding carboxylic acids in high yields. This process avoids the synthesis of symmetrical esters, particularly for long-chain compounds. This reaction proved to be useful, for instance, to produce polyunsaturated fatty acids immediately before their biological testing.