Process for preparing 17-methylalkane compound

A process for preparing a 17-methylalkane compound of the following general formula (4):

• wherein n represents an integer of 11 to 13,
• the process comprising
• converting a 1-halo-7-methyltricosane compound of the following general formula (1):
• wherein X1 represents a halogen atom,
• into a nucleophilic reagent, 7-methyltricosyl compound, of the following general formula (2):
• wherein M1 represents Li, MgZ1, CuZ1, or CuLiZ1, and Z1 represents a halogen atom or a 7-methyltricosyl group,
• subsequently subjecting the aforesaid nucleophilic reagent, 7-methyltricosyl compound (2), to a coupling reaction with an electrophilic alkyl reagent of the following general formula (3):
• wherein X2 represents a halogen atom or a p-toluenesulfonyloxy group, and n is as defined above,
• to form the aforesaid 17-methylalkane compound (4).

A process for preparing a 1-halo-7-methyltricosane compound of the following general formula (1):

• wherein X1 represents a halogen atom,
• the process comprising
• subjecting a nucleophilic reagent, 2-methyloctadecyl compound, of the following general formula (5):
• wherein M2 represents Li, MgZ2, CuZ2, or CuLiZ2, and Z2 represents a halogen atom or a 2-methyloctadecyl group,
• to a coupling reaction with a 1,5-dihalopentane compound of the following general formula (6):
• wherein X3 and X4 represent, independently of each other, a halogen atom,
• to form the aforesaid 1-halo-7-methyltricosane compound (1).