On the Components of Sphingomyelin

The observations reported in this brief communication were made in the course of an investigation into the chemical structure of sphingomyelin. On hydrolysis of this phosphatide two substances were isolated which had not been described by previous workers. One has the nature of an acid, of the composition C2aH,r.COOH. It was isolated as the ethyl ester, C23H47.COOC2H~. Two isomers of the substance are known: lignoceric and carnaubic acids. The melting point of the ester seems to indicate that the isolated acid is lignocerie. The correctness of the assumption will have to be corroborated by additional evidence. The melting point of the ester, alone, and also when mixed with the corresponding ester of lignoceric acid, was 55 ° C. The analysis of the substance revealed the following composition :