Separation and determination of Z and E isomers of dodecyl urocanate

Abstract

The preparative method for the separation of (Z)- and (E)-dodecyl urocanate described has proved to be a readily applicable technique that allows the rapid pro­duction of large amounts of these two isorners. This will enable us to continue the sludy of the biological activities of these compounds, for instance the immunosup­pression phenomenon. The quantitative analysis by HPLC of E and Z isomer mix­tures greatly facilitates the study of the photoisomerization of dodccyl urocanatc in a wide range of solvents and concentrations.