Separation and identification of 9-chloro-10-methoxy (9-methoxy-10-chloro)hexadecanoic and octadecanoic acids in adipocere.

Two homologs of 9-chloro-10-methoxy(9-methoxy-10-chloro) fatty acids were found in adipocere from the human neonate, and identified as 9-chloro-10-methoxy(9-methoxy-10-chloro)hexadecanoic acid and 9-chloro-10-methoxy(9-methoxy-10-chloro)-octadecanoic acid. The chemical structures of these compounds were confirmed by thin-layer chromatography, gas-liquid chromatography, gas chromatography--mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry and elemental analysis. The adipocere contained approximately 7.2% 9-chloro-10-methoxy(9-methoxy-10-chloro) fatty acids in the total fatty acids.