Autoxidation of methyl linolenate: Analysis of methyl hydroxylinolenate isomers by high performance liquid chromatography

The mixture of methyl hydroxylinolenates obtained by reduction of the hydroperoxide isomers formed by autoxidation of methyl linolenate was resolved by high performance liquid chromatography into eight major components. These are positional isomers with the hydroxyl group at positions 9, 12, 13, and 16. Two geometrical isomers of each positional isomer are present; these differ in the configuration of the conjugated double bonds (cis-trans andtrans-trans). Autoxidation of methyl linolenate is regioselective and favors the formation of positional isomers 9 and 16.