Selective hydrogenation with copper catalysts: III. Hydrogen addition and isomerization

Abstract β‐Eleostearate was found to be reduced by 1,6 addition of hydrogen. Because of the extensive isomerization of conjugated trienes during hydrogenation, the occurrence of 1,2 and 1,4 addition reactions could not be proven. Conjugated dienes were reduced by both 1,2 and 1,4 addition of hydrogen. The double bond distribution in the products formed from linoleate, linolenate and their isomers was consistent with the assumption that the double bonds in polyunsaturated fatty esters conjugate and then add hydrogen. Extensive isomerization (positional and geometric) of the conjugated double bond systems occurred during hydrogenation. Monoenes were not isomerized under similar conditions of hydrogenation. Since double bond distribution in monoenes formed from linoleate and alkali‐isomerized linoleate was identical, indications are that conjugation precedes hydrogenation.