NMR spectral analysis of cytotoxic ether lipids

Several cytotoxic ether lipid analogs of platelet activating factor exhibit a wide range of interesting pharmacological properties. Furthermore, at least two members of this family of lipids have progressed to phase I clinical trials as potential cancer chemotherapeutic agents. In spite of the promise that these compounds hold as anticancer drugs, they remain poorly characterized. We report herein the first complete ¹H NMR analysis of several palmityl-based ether lipids. In addition, we report the ¹³C NMR spectral assignments for these lipids, which are based, in part, on both the presence and magnitude of ³¹P-¹³C and ¹⁴N-¹³C coupling constants.