1H–13C HMBC NMR experiments as a structural and analytical tool for the characterization of elusive trans/cis hydroperoxide isomers from oxidized unsaturated fatty acids in solution

The radical-dependent oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids is a fundamental reaction in lipid chemistry, biochemistry, and technology. We report herein the first successful application of ¹H–¹³C HMBC NMR experiment for the identification and quantification of complex and minor (3.9% to 0.85%) components of cis and trans primary hydroperoxide isomers of oxidized oleate and linoleate methyl esters in solution, without the need of laborious isolation of the individual components.     

GLC-MS analysis of the fatty acids of the seed oil,triglycerides, and cyanolipid of Paulliania elegans (Sapindaceae) – a rich source of cis-13-eicosenoic acid (paullinic acid)

The fatty acids of the total lipids, triglycerides, and the cyanolipid of Paullinia elegans (Sapindaceae) have been analyzed as their methyl esters and 4,4-dimethyloxazoline derivatives by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. It was shown that the gas chromatographic separation of the oxazoline derivatives was sufficient to ensure the correct identification of the monoenic fatty acid positional isomers. Stereochemistry of the double bonds has been confirmed by infrared and ¹³C-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. cis-13-Eicosenoic Acid (Paullinic acid) (44.4%) and cis-11-octadecenoic acid (cis-vaccenic acid) (19.8%) were found to be the main components beside other monoenoic acid positional isomers. The cyanolipid of P. elegans was identified as 2,4-dihydroxy-3-methylenebutyronitrile derivative by IR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy and was quantified by ¹H-NMR spectroscopy (71.4%).     

1H NMR spectra. Part 29§: proton chemical shifts and couplings in esters—the conformational analysis of methyl γ‐butyrolactones

The ¹H NMR spectra of 35 cyclic and acyclic esters are analysed to give the ¹H chemical shifts and couplings. The substituent chemical shifts of the ester group were analysed using three‐bond (γ) effects for near protons and the electric field, magnetic anisotropy and steric effect of the ester group for more distant protons. The electric field is calculated from the partial atomic charges on the O?C = O atoms, and the asymmetric magnetic anisotropy of the carbonyl group acts at the midpoint of the C = O bond. The values of the anisotropies Δχ_parl and Δχ_perp were for the aliphatic esters 10.35 and ?18.84 and for the conjugated esters 7.33 and ?15.75 (×10^?6 ų/molecule). The oxygen steric coefficients found were 104.4 (aliphatic C = O), 45.5 (aromatic C = O) and 16.0 (C–O) (×10^?6 Å⁶/molecule). After parameterisation, the overall RMS error for the data set of 280 entries was 0.079 ppm. The strongly coupled ¹H NMR spectra of the 2‐methyl, 3‐methyl and 4‐methyl γ‐butyrolactones were analysed and the methyl conformational equilibrium obtained from the observed couplings. The observed versus calculated density functional theory (DFT) ΔG(ax‐eq) was 1.0 (1.01), 0.34 (0.54) and 0.65 (0.71) kcal/mol res. The shielding effect of a methyl cis to a proton in the five‐membered lactone rings is ?0.40 ±0.05 ppm and deshielding trans effect 0.12 ±0.05 ppm, which is common to both five and six membered rings. The cis/trans isomerism in the vinyl esters methyl acrylate, crotonate and methacrylate and methyl furoate was examined using the ¹H chemical shifts. The calculated shifts of both the cis and trans isomers were in good agreement with the observed shifts. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Coinage Metal Complexes of a Tellurium Diimide: cis→trans Isomerization and Metal–Metal Interactions

The different coordination behavior of the ligand tBuN=Te(μ-NtBu)₂Te=NtBu (L) towards Cu⁺ and Ag⁺ results from a cis→trans isomerization. The two Cu⁺ ions in [Cu₂L₃]²⁺ (shown schematically) bridge trans and cis isomers of the ligand, whereas the Ag⁺ ions in [Ag₂L₂]²⁺ link two trans ligands and exhibit a weak Ag⋅⋅⋅Ag interaction.     

Methyl torsional potentials of rotational isomers of m-methylanisole studied by spectral hole-burning spectroscopy

Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) excitation spectra of m-methylanisole in a supersonic jet were measured. Two series of progressions were observed in the spectrum, originating at 36048 and 36115 cm⁻¹, which were successfully assigned to the transitions to the methyl internal rotational vibronic levels of the two isomers, i.e. cis and trans isomers, with the aid of hole-burning spectrum measurements and quantum-chemical calculations. The progression for the trans isomer was observed up to the 6a₁ band, while only the 3a₁ band in addition to the 0a₁ and 1e bands was observed for the cis isomer. This finding can be explained by the conformational change upon the electronic excitation; the 60° rotation of the methyl torsional angle takes place for the trans isomer but not for the cis isomer.     

Identification and quantification of cis and trans isomers in aminophenyl double‐decker silsesquioxanes using 1H–29Si gHMBC NMR

Cis and trans isomers of a series of double‐decker silsesquioxanes (DDSQ) were characterized by two‐dimensional NMR techniques. The ¹H NMR spectra of these species have not previously been assigned to a degree that allows for quantification. Thus, ¹H–²⁹Si HMBC correlations were applied to facilitate ¹H spectral assignment and also to confirm previous ²⁹Si assignments for this class of silsesquioxanes. With the ability to identify all the pertinent resonances of the ¹H NMR spectrum, ²⁹Si NMR is no longer required for quantification and required only for characterization. This not only saves time and material but also provides a more accurate quantification, thus allowing for the ratio of cis and trans isomers present in each compound to be determined. A more accurate measure of the cis/trans ratio enables the investigation of its influence on the physical and chemical properties of DDSQ nanostructured materials. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stereochemical applications of mass spectrometry. II—Chemical ionization mass spectra of isomeric dicarboxylic acids and derivatives

The H₂ and CH₄, chemical ionization mass spectra of the cis dicarboxylic acids, maleic and citraconic acid, show much more extensive loss of H₂O from [MH]⁺ than the trans isomers, fumaric acid and mesaconic acid. Similarly, esters of maleic acid show a much more facile loss of ROH (R=alkyl or phenyl) from [MH]⁺ than do esters of fumaric acid. Similar differences are observed in the chemical ionization mass spectra of the isomeric phthalic and isophthalic acids and derivatives, where the ortho isomers show more extensive fragmentation of [MH]⁺ than the meta isomers. The facile fragmentation of [MH]⁺ for the cis and ortho isomers is attributed to ROH elimination involving interaction between the two carboxylate functions and forming the stable cyclic anhydride structure for the fragment ion. By contrast ROH elimination from [MH]⁺ for the trans and metu isomers requires a symmetry-forbidden [1,3]-H migration in the carboxyl protonated species and cannot lead to the cyclic anhydride structure. The chemical ionization mass spectra of cis and trans cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylic acids are essentially identical and show extensive fragmentation of the [IMH]⁺ ion. Experiments using deuterium labelling show extensive carboxyl group interactions for both isomers. The chemical ionization mass spectra of maleanilic and phthalanilic acids and of the related anhydrides and imides also are reported, as are the electron impact mass spectra of diphenyl maleate, diphenyl fumarate, diphenyl phthalate, maleanilic acid and phthalanilic acid.     

Kinetics of the reactions of O3 and OH radicals with a series of dialkenes and trialkenes at 294 ± 2 K

Rate constants for the gas phase reactions of O₃ and OH radicals with 1,3-cycloheptadiene, 1,3,5-cycloheptatriene, and cis- and trans-1,3,5-hexatriene and also of O₃ with cis-2,trans-4-hexadiene and trans -2,trans -4-hexadiene have been determined at 294 ± 2 K. The rate constants determined for reaction with O₃ were (in cm³ molecule^-1s^?1 units): 1,3-cycloheptadiene, (1.56 ± 0.21) × 10^-16; 1,3,5-cycloheptatriene, (5.39 ± 0.78) × 10^?17; 1,3,5-hexatriene, (2.62 ± 0.34) × 10^?17; cis?2,trans-4-hexadiene, (3.14 ± 0.34) × 10^?16; and trans ?2, trans -4-hexadiene, (3.74 ± 0.61) × 10^?16; with the cis- and trans-1,3,5-hexatriene isomers reacting with essentially identical rate constants. The rate constants determined for reaction with OH radicals were (in cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 units): 1,3-cycloheptadiene, (1.31 ± 0.04) × 10^?10; 1,3,5-cycloheptatriene, (9.12 × 0.23) × 10^?11; cis-1,3,5-hexatriene, (1.04 ± 0.07) × 10^?10; and trans 1,3,5-hexatriene, (1.04 ± 0.17) × 10^?10. These data, which are the first reported values for these di- and tri-alkenes, are discussed in the context of previously determined O₃ and OH radical rate constants for alkenes and cycloalkenes.     

Investigation of excited‐state properties of fluorene–thiophene oligomers by the SAC‐CI theoretical approach

Excited states of fluorene‐ethylenedioxythiophene (FEDOT) and fluorene‐S,S‐dioxide‐thiophene (FTSO2) monomers and dimers were studied by the symmetry‐adapted cluster (SAC)‐configuration interaction (CI) method. The absorption and emission peaks observed in the experimental spectra were theoretically assigned. The first three excited states of the optimized conformers, and the conformers of several torsional angles, were computed by SAC‐CI/D95(d). Accurate absorption spectra were simulated by taking the thermal average for the conformers of torsional angles from 0° to 90°. The conformers of torsional angles 0°, 15°, and 30° mainly contributed to the absorption spectra. The full width at half‐maximum of the FEDOT absorption band is 0.60 eV (4839 cm^?1), which agrees very well with the experimental value of 0.61 eV (4900 cm^?1). The maximum absorption wavelength is located at 303 nm, which is close to those of the experimental band (327 nm). The calculated absorption spectrum of FTSO2 showed two bands in the range of 225–450 nm. This agrees very well with the available experimental spectrum of a polymer of FTSO2, where two bands are detected. The excited‐state geometries were investigated by CIS/6‐31G(d). These showed a quinoid‐type structure which exhibited a shortening of the inter‐ring distance (0.06 Å for FEDOT and 0.04 Å for FTSO2). The calculated emission energy of FEDOT is 3.43 eV, which agrees very well with the available experimental data (3.46 eV). The fwhm_E is about 0.49 eV (3952 cm^?1), while the experimental fwhm is 0.43 eV (3500 cm^?1). For FTSO2, two bands were also found in the emission spectrum. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010     

Stereochemistry of alkyl 3-substituted 4-halotetrahydro-2-oxo-3-furancarboxylates: 2—1H and 13C NMR spectra

The ¹H NMR parameters of methyl 3-substituted cis-4-halotetrahydro-2-oxo-3-furancarboxylates are reported, with assignments of the ring protons based on solvent-induced changes in the vicinal trans coupling constants, ³J(H-4, H-5). Preferred conformations, ce with a pseudo-equatorial halogen for the cis isomers and ta with a pseudo-axial halogen for the trans isomers, have been suggested on comparison of the magnitudes of J(trans) and J(gem) in both series. The ³J(¹³CH₃, H-4) values measured for methyl cis-4-bromotetrahydro-3-methyl-3-furancarboxylate, methyl trans-4-bromotetrahydro-3-methyl-3-furancarboxylate and trans-3,4-dibromodihydro-3-methyl-2(3H)-furanone have confirmed the stereochemical assignments.     

Stereoelectronic control of the retro diels–alder reaction in 8-(N-pyrrolidyl)bicyclo[4.3.0]nona-3,7-diene isomers

The cis- and trans-annulated isomers of 8-(N-pyrrolidyl)bicyclo[4.3.0]nona-3,7-diene show different propensities for the retro Diels–Alder fragmentation following electron impact ionization. Molecular ions of the cis-annulated isomer decompose predominantly via the retro Diels–Alder reaction to give [C₉H₁₃N] ⁺· fragments of the appearance energy (AE)=8.45±0.05eV and critical energy E_c=133±8kJ mol^?1. The trans-annulated isomer gives abundant [M–H]⁺ (AE=9.34±0.08eV) and [M–C₆H₆]⁺· fragments, in addition to [C₉H₁₃N]⁺· ions of AE=8.98±0.05eV and E_c=181±8kJ mol^?1. The ionization energies (IE) were determined as IE_cis=7.07±0.05 eV and IE_trans=7.10±0.06eV. The stereochemical information is much less pronounced in unimolecular decompositions of long-lived (metastable) molecular ions which show very similar fragmentation patterns for both geometrical isomers. Nevertheless, the isomers exhibit different kinetic energy release values in the retro Diels–Alder fragmentation; T_0.5=3.8±0.3 and 4.8±0.2 kJ mol^?1 for the cis and trans isomer respectively. Topological molecular orbital calculations indicate that the retro Diels–Alder reaction prefers a two-step path, with a subsequent cleavage of the C(5)? C(6) and C(1)? C(2) bonds. The open-ring distonic intermediate represents the absolute minimum on the reaction energy hypersurface. The cleavage of the C(1)? C(2) bond is the rate-determining step in the decomposition of the cis isomer, with the critical energy calculated as 137 kJ mol^?1. The cleavage of the C(5)? C(6) bond becomes the rate-determining step in the trans-annulated isomer because of stereoelectronic control. The difference in the energy barriers to this cleavage in the isomers (ΔE=95k Jmol^?1) provides a quantitative estimate of the magnitude of the stereoelectronic effect in cation radicals.     

Characterization of diene polymers. I. Infrared and NMR studies: Nonadditive behavior of characteristic infrared bands

Extinction coefficients of the characteristic infrared bands due to isomeric structural units were measured for polybutadiene and polyisoprene in CS₂ or CCl₄ solutions and were compared with the isomer composition determined by NMR. The NMR signal assignments were made on the basis of the spectra of deutero derivatives of the polymers. In the case of polyisoprene, linear relations were obtained between the extinction coefficients and the isomer contents determined by NMR for the absorption bands at 1385 cm^?1 (characteristic of trans-1,4 units), 1376 cm^?1 (cis-1,4 units), and 889 cm^?1 (3,4 units). However, for the absorption bands at 840 cm^?1 (characteristic of cis-1,4 and trans-1,4 units), isomerized polyisoprenes did not give such a linear relationship. In polybutadiene, the extinction coefficient for the atactic 1,2 units was found to be lower than that of the syndiotactic 1,2 unit. These experimental facts lead to the conclusion that additivity of the extinction coefficients does not always hold for diene polymers. The deviation from the linear relation may be associated with regular sequences of one isomeric conformation in the chain.     

Quantum Mechanical and Experimental Validation that Cyclobis(paraquat‐p‐phenylene) Forms a 1:1 Inclusion Complex with Tetrathiafulvalene

The promiscuous encapsulation of π‐electron‐rich guests by the π‐electron‐deficient host, cyclobis(paraquat‐p‐phenylene) (CBPQT⁴⁺), involves the formation of 1:1 inclusion complexes. One of the most intensely investigated charge‐transfer (CT) bands, assumed to result from inclusion of a guest molecule inside the cavity of CBPQT⁴⁺, is an emerald‐green band associated with the complexation of tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) and its derivatives. This interpretation was called into question recently in this journal based on theoretical gas‐phase calculations that reinterpreted this CT band in terms of an intermolecular side‐on interaction of TTF with one of the bipyridinium (BIPY²⁺) units of CBPQT⁴⁺, rather than the encapsulation of TTF inside the cavity of CBPQT⁴⁺. We carried out DFT calculations, including solvation, that reveal conclusively that the CT band emerging upon mixing TTF with CBPQT⁴⁺ arises from the formation of a 1:1 inclusion complex. In support of this conclusion, we have performed additional experiments on a [2]rotaxane in which a TTF unit, located in the middle of its short dumbbell, is prevented sterically from interacting with either one of the two BIPY²⁺ units of a CBPQT⁴⁺ ring residing on a separate [2]rotaxane in a side‐on fashion. This [2]rotaxane has similar UV/Vis and ¹H NMR spectroscopic properties with those of 1:1 inclusion complexes of TTF and its derivatives with CBPQT⁴⁺. The [2]rotaxane exists as an equimolar mixture of cis‐ and trans‐isomers associated with the disubstituted TTF unit in its dumbbell component. Solid‐state structures were obtained for both isomers, validating the conclusion that the TTF unit, which gives rise to the CT band, resides inside CBPQT⁴⁺.     

FOURIER TRANSFORM INFRARED SPECTRAL STUDIES ON THE SCHIFF BASE MODE OF ALL-trans BACTERIORHODOPSIN and ITS PHOTOINTERMEDIATES,K and L*

Abstract– Difference Fourier transform infrared spectra were recorded for bacteriorhodopsin upon irradiation at 230, 170 or 77 K, which gave, respectively, the spectrum of the M, L or K intermediate minus unphotolyzed all-trans bacteriorhodopsin (denoted as BR). By replacement of the Schiff base nitrogen with ¹⁵N, or of either its hydrogen at N or C₁₅ with deuterium, the vibrational bands related to the Schiff base were identified and the isotope-shifts evaluated for BR, K and L. The 1348 cm^?l band of BR and K and the 1400 cm^?1 band of L were sensitive to each of these isotope substitutions. The 1254 cm^?1 band of BR, the 1245 cm^?1 band of K and the 1301 cm^?1 band of L were sensitive to either N- or C₁₅-deuteration but not to ¹⁵N-substitution. The N—D in-plane bending vibration of K and L appeared at 969 and 997 cm^?1, respectively, upon substitution with D₂O. All the results show that L is larger in frequencies related to the N—H in-plane bending vibration than K or BR and suggest that L has the strongest interaction with the protein. Among the bands containing an N—H bending vibration, the 1348 cm^?1 band of K was more intense than the corresponding band of L at 1400 cm^?1. The C₁₅-deuteration-induced upshift of the 1245 cm^?1 band of K was unobservable for the 1301 cm^?1 band of L. Such differences between L and K might be brought about by a distortion in the retinal moiety close to the protonated Schiff base of the 13-cis chromophore.     

Coordinatively unsaturated o-quinone complexes of iridum(III) and their role in the isomerization of octahedral complexes

The oxidative addition reaction of tetrachloro-1,2-benzoquinone with trans-{IrCl(N₂)[P(C₆H₅)₃]₂} yields the coordinatively unsaturated complex {IrCl(o-O₂C₆Cl₄)[P(C₆H₅)₃]₂} · C₆H₆ Carbonylation of this complex can be used to prepare two isomers of formula {IrCl(o-O₂C₆Cl₄)(CO)[P(C₆H₅)₃]₂}. These are both different than the isomer obtained by Balch and Sohn from the oxidative addition of the quinone to Vaska's compound. The role of coordinatively unsaturated intermediates in the isomerization reactions of the octahedral carbonyl complexes will be discussed. The five coordinated o-quinone complex reacts with water to give an aquo complex. Two criteria for distinguishing cis- and trans-M[P(C₆H₅)₃]₂ geometries from intensifies of IR bands in the regions 15701590 and 530550 cm^?1 have been tested for octahedral complexes. cis-Ph₃P octahedral complexes of iridium(III) have a band of high intensity in the 534541 cm^?1 region. There is no systematic relationship between the band intensities in the 15701590 cm^?1 region and phosphine geometry.     

High Intensity Trip-Multiplet Transitions,a Reality! Synthesis,Properties, and Crystal Structure of l-Bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium trans-Dibromophthalocyaninato(2–)molybdate(III)

Oxophthalocyaninato(2–)molybdenum(IV), activated by bromine oxidation prior to use, reacts with fused triphenylphosphine in the presence of bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium bromide to yield linear-bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium trans-dibromophthalocyaninato(2–)molybdate(III), ^l(PNP)^trans[Mo(Br)₂pc^2?]. It crystallizes triclinic with crystal data: a = 10.506(1) Å, b = 12.436(2) Å, c = 12.918(2) Å, α = 76.186(1)°, β = 67.890(1)°, γ = 68.689(1)°; space group P1 (No. 2); Z = 1. Mo^III is in a pseudo-octahedral coordination geometry with the bromo ligands in trans-arrangement. The Mo? N_p and Mo? Br distance is 2.043(10) and 2.588(1) Å, respectively. The PNP cation adopts a linear conformation. In the IR spectrum v_as(Mo? Br) is observed at 218 cm^?1 and v_as(P? N) of the linear (P? N? P) core at 1406 cm^?1. Cyclic and differential-pulse voltammetry show two quasi-reversible cathodic processes at ?1.15 and ?0.53 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The first is assigned to a phthalocyaninate directed reduction (pc^2?/pc^3?), while the latter arises from a Mo directed reduction (Mo^III/Mo^II). Spectral monitoring confirms the reversible Mo^III/Mo^II reduction. Two quasi-reversible anodic processes at 0.60 and 1.27 V are assigned to the successive Mo directed oxidation with redox couples Mo^III/Mo^IV and Mo^IV/Mo^V. For the first time, three very intense spin-allowed trip-quartet transitions are observed in the electronic absorption spectra at 7140 (TQI), 16890 (TQ2) and 18700 cm^?1 (TQ3) together with a sing-quartet transition at 15850 cm^?1 and characteristic ?Q”? region with maximum at 28500 cm^?1 and ?N”? region at 37400 cm^?1. All electronic excitations are of comparable intensity. A prominent low temperature emission at 6690 cm^?1 is assigned to a spin-forbidden trip-sextet.     

Lanthanide chemical shift reagents as tools for determining isomer distributions in 2,4-hexadienoates and related compounds

Quantitative analysis of geometrical isomers of unsaturated esters and alcohols is facilitated with Eu(fod)₃. Commercial sorbic acid exists in the all-trans form, while sorbyl alcohol contains c. 10% of the cis-4,5 isomer.     

Filler–polymer interactions in both silica and carbon black‐filled styrene–butadiene rubber compounds

Bound rubber in a filled rubber compound is formed by physical adsorption and chemisorption between the rubber and the filler. Styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) is composed of four components of styrene, cis‐1,4‐, trans‐1,4‐, and 1,2‐units. Filler–polymer interactions in both silica and carbon black‐filled SBR compounds were studied by analyzing microstructures of the bound rubbers with pyrolysis‐gas chromatography. Differences in the filler–polymer interactions of the styrene, cis‐1,4‐, trans‐1,4‐, and 1,2‐units were investigated. The filler–polymer interactions of the butadiene units were found to be stronger than that of the styrene unit. The interactions of the cis‐1,4‐ and trans‐1,4‐units were stronger with carbon black than with silica, whereas the 1,2‐unit interacted more strongly with silica than with carbon black. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 39: 439–445, 2001     

Magnetic Properties of a Single‐Molecule Lanthanide–Transition‐Metal Compound Containing 52 Gadolinium and 56 Nickel Atoms

Monodisperse metal clusters provide a unique platform for investigating magnetic exchange within molecular magnets. Herein, the core–shell structure of the monodisperse molecule magnet of [Gd₅₂Ni₅₆(IDA)₄₈(OH)₁₅₄(H₂O)₃₈]@SiO₂ ( 1 a @SiO₂) was prepared by encapsulating one high‐nuclearity lanthanide–transition‐metal compound of [Gd₅₂Ni₅₆(IDA)₄₈(OH)₁₅₄(H₂O)₃₈]?(NO₃)₁₈?164 H₂O ( 1 ) (IDA=iminodiacetate) into one silica nanosphere through a facile one‐pot microemulsion method. 1 a @SiO₂ was characterized using transmission electron microscopy, N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms, and inductively coupled plasma‐atomic emission spectrometry. Magnetic investigation of 1 and 1 a revealed J₁=0.25 cm^?1, J₂=?0.060 cm^?1, J₃=?0.22 cm^?1, J₄=?8.63 cm^?1, g=1.95, and z J=?2.0×10^?3 cm^?1 for 1 , and J₁=0.26 cm^?1, J₂=?0.065 cm^?1, J₃=?0.23 cm^?1, J₄=?8.40 cm^?1 g=1.99, and z J=0.000 cm^?1 for 1 a @SiO₂. The z J=0 in 1 a @SiO₂ suggests that weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the compounds is shielded by silica nanospheres.     

A study of the autoxidation of some unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters using Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy

Near-infrared Fourier transform Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy have been used to investigate the chemical changes taking place during the curing reaction of several fatty acid methyl esters, which are used for modelling processes in the autoxidation of alkyd resin coatings. We have studied methyl oleate, methyl linoleate, and methyl linolenate in an attempt to monitor the degree of unsaturation within the fatty acid methyl esters (FAMES) during the complex autoxidation/polymerisation reaction that takes place once the paint system is coated onto a substrate and exposed to the atmosphere. The peaks around 1655 cm⁻¹ have been assigned as follows: to the trans isomer at 1670 cm⁻¹, the cis isomer at 1655 cm⁻¹ and the conjugated structure at 1640 cm⁻¹ [B. Schrader, Raman/Infrared Atlas of Organic Compounds (2nd Edn), VCH, Weinheim (1989); J. K. Abenyega, M. Claybourn and G. Ellis, in preparations]. Raman spectra for the cure of methyl linoleate after 24 h show several interesting features, suggesting the formation of a highly conjugated cyclic structure. Current theories about the mechanism for the autoxidation of methyl linoleate make no mention of this aromatic product.