(S)-sn-1,2-Dioctanoyl-3-benzylglycerol

(S)-sn-1,2-Dioctanoyl-3-benzylglycerol is a synthetic lipid molecule characterized by the presence of two octanoyl fatty acid chains esterified at the first and second hydroxyl groups of glycerol, with a benzyl group attached to the third. This particular configuration makes it an intriguing subject for research in the fields of organic chemistry and materials science, particularly in the study of lipid bilayers and membrane-mimicking systems. The structural specificity of (S)-sn-1,2-Dioctanoyl-3-benzylglycerol allows it to be used in the exploration of lipid interactions and the dynamics within synthetic membranes. Its benzyl component introduces aromaticity to the molecule, which can influence the packing and stability of the lipid layers, as well as their interactions with other aromatic compounds. This has implications for the study of molecular self-assembly, where researchers examine the influence of various substituents on the formation and properties of organized structures like micelles and vesicles. Moreover, the stereochemistry at the glycerol backbone, being of the (S)-configuration, provides an additional layer of specificity, affecting the chiral nature of interactions and assemblies formed, making it a valuable model compound in stereochemical studies of lipid-based systems.