Chromatography Forum

Dear friends,
I'm working on FAME analysis by using direct esterification method (Lepage and Roy). However, I cannot use the acetyl chloride as it is not available in my country. Can someone suggest me the alternative one?
I have tried 2% H2SO4 in methanol in 95oC for 2 hrs and also 4% in 95oC for 2 hrs, 13% BF3 for 2 hrs. but the FAME profile is not comparable to acetyl chloride's. with BF3, the worst result was obtained. 4% H2SO4 seem to be better than 2% H2SO4. My sample are zooplankton. And I'm interested in PUFA.
Thank you,
Khaiwan

Have you tried two-step preparation? Like saponifying first with KOH or NaOH in methanol, then adding either BF3-methanol or H2SO4 methanol and steam bath to acidify/esterify?

That's what we've done here for decades.

Thank you very much. I will try as your suggestion.