Fatty acid methyl ester hydrogenolysis

Hydrogenation of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters The hydrogenolysis of fatty acid methyl esters into the corresponding fatty alcohols and methanol is performed at 200-300°C and a H2 pressure of 200-300 bar with the aid of copper oxide/chromium oxide catalysts (Adkins catalysts). Three different procedures are applied [39 a-c] ... 

Tagawa,T.,Nishiguchi,T., and Fukuzumi, K. 1978. Transfer hydrogenation and transfer hydrogenolysis XII. Selective hydrogenation of fatty acid methyl esters by various hydrogen donors. J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc., 55, 332-336. 

Conventional technology of the hydrogenolysis of fatty acid methyl esters to the corresponding fatty alcohols uses copper chromite or zinc chromite based catalysts and the manufacturing process requires high pressures (200-300 bar) and temperatures (250-300 °C). The activity of copper chromite catalysts was significantly increased by the addition of zinc. ... 

Feedstocks derived from triglyceride oils include fatty acids, methyl esters, and natural alcohols through splitting, transesterification, hydrogenation, and hydrogenolysis. In several cases. 

Hydrogenolysis Process. Patty alcohols are produced by hydrogenolysis of methyl esters or fatty acids ia the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst at 20,700—31,000 kPa (3000—4500 psi) and 250—300°C ia conversions of 90—98%. A higher conversion can be achieved using more rigorous reaction conditions, but it is accompanied by a significant amount of hydrocarbon production. 

FIGURE 2 Hydrogenolysis of methyl esters to obtain fatty acids and glycerol (glycerin). 

The hydration method first proposed for analysing hydrocarbons [229] and methyl esters of unsaturated fatty acids [230] was then applied to studies of compounds of various classes such as alcohols, amines, amides, ketones, esters and nitriles [227]. It was shown [227] that at 140-250° C partial hydrogenolysis of halogenides, aldehydes and mercaptans takes place, which makes possible their determination without hindering structural studies. 

Hydrogenolysis of fatty acids and their methyl esters gives alcohols used for the manufacture of nonionic surfactants. 

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