Regioselective opening of an oxirane system with trifluoroacetic anhydride. A general method for the synthesis of 2-monoacyl- and 1,3-symmetrical triacylglycerols

A trifluoroacetic anhydride-catalyzed opening of the oxirane system of glycidyl esters with a simultaneous migration of the acyl group provides a new, efficient entry to either 2-monoacylglycerols (2-MAG) or 1,3-symmetrical triglycerides (1,3-STG) as potential prodrug frameworks.