Phospholipid studies of marine organisms: V(1) new α-methoxy acids fromHigginsia tethyoides.

The phospholipids of the demospongeHigginsia tethyoides are shown to have at least 16 long-chain α-methoxy acids, which represent a new class of fatty acids. Among them are the saturated α-methoxy acids containing 19-24 carbon atoms. The monounsaturated compounds are 2-OMe-Δ(17)-24:1, 2-OMe-Δ(18)-25:1, 2-OMeΔ(19)-26:1 and 2-OMe-Δ(21)-28:1.