AbstractMethyl linoleate was reacted with mercuric acetate in acetic acid at 60°C for 2 hrs to give an oily mixture from which a relatively unstable adduct fraction with the composition close to C19H34O2(OCOCH3) (HgOCOCH3) was separated. The reaction of methyl linoleate with mercuric acetate at 115°C for 30 min. gave an oily mixture which was found to contain isomerized octadecadienoates, monoacetoxy and diacetoxy derivatives, and polymeric substances. It was found that the monoacetoxy derivatives contain 10‐acetoxy‐8,12‐, 12‐acetoxy‐9,13‐, 9‐acetoxy‐10,12‐ and 13‐acetoxy