Preparation of labeled alkyl acyl glycerophosphorylcholine

A method for the preparation of 1-alkyl 2-acyl glycero-3-phosphorylcholine, labeled in the 2-position with oleic acid-1-(14)C is described. This method, based on the acylation of a 1-alkyl glycero-3-phosphorylcholine-CdCl(2) complex which is, in turn, formed from 1-alk-1-enyl glycero-3-phosphorylcholine by hydrogenation and subsequent reaction with cadmium chloride, offers a relatively simple means of preparing a labeled saturated ether phospholipid suitable for use in metabolic studies.