A laboratory preparation involves permanganate oxidation of 1-hexadecene (CH3(CH2)13CH=CH2).

[2] It is one of the most common odd-chain fatty acids, although it is rare in nature.

[3] Pentadecylic acid is found primarily in dairy fat, as well as in ruminant meat and some fish and plants.

[4][5][6] The butterfat in cow milk is its major dietary source, comprising 1.2% of cow milk fat.

[7][3] Rare genetic disorders causing unusually high concentrations of C15:0 and C17:0, including Refsum disease, Zellweger Syndrome, and propionic acidemia, confirmed endogenous synthesis of these odd-chain FAs in humans,[8] involving alpha-oxidation.