Pyrolysis of saturated triglycerides

Saturated monoacid triglycerides were pyrolyzed in a flowing atmosphere of helium at 630–650 C, and the products were colleted at low temperature. They were fractionated by thin layer chromatography, according to polarity, and were further resolved and analyzed by gas chromatography, mass spectrometry and IR spectrometry. Alkanes, alkenes, ketones, esters, free acids and cyclic products were identified. Among the latter are probably lactones and substituted dioxanes and dioxolanes, for which structures have been postulated. The parent acid of the triglyceride and the cyclic residual products, after loss of one acid group from the triglyceride, were prominent products. Many products of pyrolysis had structures similar to the major ions produced in the mass spectrum of the triglyceride.