Synthesis of mcrocyclic lactones has been applied to medical and flavor field. Triglycerides(2) of ω-hydroxycarboxylic acids synthesized from malania oleifera chum oil(1) via ozonization and reduction, and compound 2 were catalytically transformed to macrocyctic lactones(3). This is a new method involving fewer steps and a 61% yield of cyclopentadecanolide was obtained. The reactive properties of macrolactonization of ω-hydroxycarboxylic acids were also studied. The result obtained shows that the priority order of macrolactonization as follows: 11-undecalactone>cyclotridecanolide>cyclopentadecanolide, i.e. the short chain ω-hydroxycarboxylic acids were preferentially cyclized.
