Epoxidation of methyl linoleate. II. The two isomers of methyl 9, 10: 12, 13‐diepoxystearate

Epoxidation of methyl linoleate results in the formation of two stereoisomeric methyl 9,10:12,13‐diepoxystearates. The previously well‐known isomer, mp 32C, represents only 60% of the total diepoxides formed. The newly isolated form is liquid at room temperature and is measured incompletely by standard titrimetric oxirane analysis. The isomers differ by the relative positions of their oxirane oxygen atoms. The oxygens of the solid are located on opposite sides and those of the liquid are on the same side of the molecular plane.