Selective Oxidative Cleavage of Oleic Acid on Alumina Supported Metal Catalyst

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and medium-chain fatty acid (MCFAs) are valuable raw materials in wide range of chemical and medical applications. They can be converted to other derivatives by known chemical reactions. Unfortunately, both SCFAs MCFAs are not as abundant in nature as long-chain fatty acid (LCFAs). In this work, the oxidative cleavage of oleic acid, which is one of the most abundant unsaturated LCFAs in nature, was studied. The oxidation was induced by hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by a commercial alumina-supported metal catalyst. The products were analyzed by gas chromatography equipped with mass spectroscopy (GC/MS). The results revealed that MCFAs and SCFAs were detected in a product. In addition, aldehydes were also found. In this work, effects of catalyst loading, oleic acid-to-hydrogen peroxide ratio, reaction time were investigated and reported.