A new approach to the synthesis of lysophospholipids: preparation of lysophosphatidic acid and lysophosphatidylcholine from p-nitrophenyl glycerate

A new stereospecific synthesis of lysophosphatidic acid and lysophosphatidylcholine is reported. The sequence relies on p-nitrophenyl-d-glycerate as a chiral synthon, including chemoselective reduction of the active ester function without affecting other carboxylic ester groups present in the molecule.