A versatile process for the syntheses of very long chain alkanes, functionalised derivatives and some branched chain hydrocarbons

An earlier method for synthesising very long straight-chain alkanes of very specific lengths has been improved to give, in some cases, gram amounts of materials. Eleven compounds have been made: C98H198, C122H246, C162H326, C194H390, C198H398, C210H422, C242H486, C246H494, C258H518, C294H590 and C390H782. The self-condensation reaction of one of the intermediate aldehydes enabled two chain-branched hydrocarbons to be obtained: C(96)H(193)CHRC(94)H(189) where R = CH3 and CH3(CH2)(3). Three long-chain compounds containing carboxylic acid groups have been prepared: CH3(CH2)(190)CO2H, HO2C(CH2)(48)CO2H and HO2C(CH2)(192)CO2H.