Dimer acid structures: Cyclic structures of clay catalyzed dimers of normal linoleic acid, 9‐cis, 12‐cis‐Octadecadienoic acid

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Abstract
The clay catalyzed dimer of linoleic acid has been examined by mass spectrometry of the unhydrogenated, the partially hydrogenated and completely hydrogenated dimer. The results show that monocyclic, bicyclic and tricyclic structures are present. Monocyclic structures predominate, bicyclic structures are also prominent, and tricyclic structures are relatively minor. The monocyclic structure is believed to arise from a Diels‐Alder type addition reaction. The bicyclic structure may result from a free radical coupling followed by intramolecular ring closure. The monocyclic structure in the unhydrogenated dimer appears to be mostly a benzene ring with saturated and unsaturated side‐chains. It probably is formed by hydrogen transfer from the Diels‐Alder cyclohexene structure first formed. Little, if any, of the Diels‐Alder dimer structure as such is present. The catalytic linoleate dimer has a higher ratio of monocyclic to bicyclic dimer than does the noncatalytic (thermal) dimer made from normal (nonconjugated) linoleate, while the thermal dimer of a conjugatedtrans‐trans linoleate is exclusively monocyclic. It is suggested that the clay catalyzes conjugation and hence favors the Diels‐Alder reaction, and then catalyzes hydrogen transfer to aromatize the cyclohexene ring.

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