The mycolipodienic acids

Abstract

A series of homologous acids, designated mycolipodienic acids, has been isolated from the lipids of tubercle bacilli as their methyl esters. Evidence is presented which shows that these esters have the structure Me·[CH₂]_x·CH:CH·[CH₂]_y·CHMe·CH₂·CHMe·CH:CMe·CO₂Me where the αβ-double bond has trans- and the non-conjugated double bond cis-configuration, and x and y for the main homologue are 7 and 8, respectively; C-4 and C-6 are regarded as having L-configuration. Studies of the hydrocarbons, and the saturated and unsaturated straight-chain esters isolated in the course of this work are also reported.