Abstract
V.T. Athavale and S. K. K. Jatkar have recently carried out a detailed study of hydrogenation of ethyl oleate using nickel-carbonate kieselguhr catalyst (J. Indian Inst. Soi., 21, A, Part 25, 1938) and show a definite advance on previously recorded results. Iodine values, refractive indices and dispersions were determined on a number of samples of hydrogenated ethyl oleate, and results are recorded graphically. Contrary to expectation, iodine values did not vary linearly with refractive index in the initial stages of hydrogenation, but only after the iodine value had fallen by about twenty-five per cent. Comparison of refractive index and dispersion values of samples hydrogenated at different temperatures and, with different rates of flow of ethyl oleate over the catalyst showed that dispersions of samples having almost identical refractive indices vary considerably. Similarly, it was found that samples having the same iodine value, had dissimilar dispersions, thus indicating the formation of oleic acid during the reaction. A study of the effect of temperature on the velocity of hydrogenation at a fixed rate of flow of ethyl oleate over the catalyst further revealed a marked difference in dispersion values of samples hydrogenated at low temperatures and the conclusion was, therefore, reached that the isomers of oleic acid are formed because of the low activity for hydrogenation of the catalyst at low temperatures.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hydrogenation of Oils by the Continuous Process. Nature 143, 255 (1939). https://doi.org/10.1038/143255a0
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/143255a0