1-Benzylglycerol is used in the synthesis of 2,3-di-O-phytanyl-sn-glycerol-1-tetraethylene glycol-(3-trichloropropyl-silane) ether lipid (DPTTC) and 2,3-di-O-phytanyl-sn-glycerol-1-tetraethylene glycol-(3-chloro-dimethylpropyl-silane) ether lipid(DPTDC).