Novel bisphosphonates via castor oil

AbstractHydroxy fatty acids (HFAs) have long been a staple component of feedstock oils with uses ranging from motor oils to food to pharmaceuticals. Castor oil, which contains the HFA ricinoleic acid as its principal component, is the most widely used source of HFA in the world. In addition, bisphosphonates are a functional moiety that has been shown to display a variety of industrial applications, ranging from use in water softeners to osteoporosis drugs, primarily due to their affinity for the calcium ion. We have long been interested in the modification of ricinoleic acid from castor oil to phosphorus derivatives, including α‐hydroxy phosphonates and phosphonic acids, and have now accomplished the synthesis of a family of ricinoleic‐derived bisphosphonates: one that retains the cis alkene found in ricinoleic acid and one where the alkene has undergone hydrogenation. These compounds have been produced in high yields and high purity and the synthesis of these compounds is reported.