Effect of oxygen and other factors in selenium catalyzed isomerization of unsaturated fatty acid esters

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
In thetrans‐isomerization of ethyl linoleate using 1% selenium as catalyst under nitrogen, 200C was found to be the optimal temperature. Conjugation and polymerization were concurrent with the formation of thetrans esters. In the isomerization of ethyl oleate with selenium, the double bond did not migrate to any appreciable extent.Isomerization studies were performed on olive, safflower and linseed oils and ethyl esters of oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids. Time to reach maxi‐maltrans isomer content was longest with linole‐nate esters; glycerides reacted more rapidly than ethyl esters, and with lesser polymerization.Oxygen was found to be an important partici‐pant in thetrans‐isomerization reaction. Its ex‐clusion resulted in sharply diminished reaction rates. Benzoyl peroxide and hydrogen peroxide accelerated while an antioxidant (BHT) retarded the reaction.