Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of d-erythro-sphingosine and analogs thereof, wherein the method comprises a step of condensing a compound of formula (2): or a salt thereof, wherein R1 is hydrogen, a C1-50 alkyl, preferably a C1-15 alkyl, more preferably a C10-15 alkyl, which may be saturated or contain one or more double and/or triple bonds, and/or which may contain one or more functional groups, the functional group being preferably selected from the group consisting of an alkoxy group, a secondary, or tertiary amine, a thioether, an acyloxy group, an acylamido group, a phosphorus containing functional group, a carboxyl group, or a carbonyl group, with a compound of formula (3): wherein the bond represents a double or a single bond, W is C, or C(OR4), Z is O, or OR5, provided that: when W is C, the bond is a double bond and Z is O, or when W is C(OR4), the bond is a single bond and Z is OR5, and wherein R2 and R3 are independently selected from a saturate

Abstract: A lamp base in combination with a low pressure discharge lamp is provided. The low pressure discharge lamp comprises a glass envelope which has an end portion and an axis. A stem is melted into the end portion of the envelope in a gas-tight manner in order to form a seal region. The stem is mounted with an electrode and includes a current in-lead which is connected to the electrode. The lamp base comprises a metallic base shell which is fitted to the seal region. A resilient insert is disposed substantially in the base shell. The resilient insert embraces the seal region ant least partly, and fits resiliently to an interior surface of the base shell. The insert has means suitable for positioning the lamp base in cooperation with further means formed on the surface of the seal region.