Facile acylation of glycerophosphocholine catalyzed by trifluoroacetic anhydride.

A simplified procedure for the synthesis of short acyl chain phosphatidylcholines is described. A mixed fatty acid-trifluoroacetic anhydride is used to acylate sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (GPC) which has been dissolved in trifluoroacetic acid. Yields exceeding 70% are achieved in 30-min reaction time using 1.5 to 2.0 equivalents of mixed anhydride per, GPC hydroxyl. This allows a more economical use of labeled short chain acids.