Fatty Acid Esterification with N,N-Dimethylformamide Dialkyl Acetals for GC Analysis

The methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl or t-butyl esters of long chain fatty acids can be prepared quantitatively by reaction with dimethylforma-mide dialkylacetals (alkyl group = methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl or t-butyl, respectively). A gas chromatographic separation can be carried out as soon as solution is achieved.