Hydrogenation of triglycerides containing linolenic acids. I. Calculation of selectivity

Abstract

A simple graphic method is presented for the determination of selectivity direct from the analytical data before and after hydrogenation of fatty oils. For the technically important hydrogenation of soybean oil, where trienoates are to be hydrogenated preferentially, a graph for the determination of the linolenate selectivity ratio was prepared.

It is shown by a generally valid mathematical derivation that it is possible in the hydrogenation of triglycerides containing linolenate to calculate the selectivity ratios in a relatively simple manner by eliminating the reaction time. As a result, one obtains a relationship between the initial and final concentrations of monoenoate, dienoate, and trienoate and the selectivity ratios. The exact calculation of such graphs as well as the exact determination of the selectivity ratios require no computer.