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.