Use of hydrazine as a reducing agent for unsaturated compounds: II. The hydrogenation of elaidic and ricinoleic acids

Elaidic and ricinoleic acid can be hydrogenated by hydrazine hydrate in ethanol solution at 50°. Over 90% hydrogenation can be achieved in 8 hours providing an excess of hydrazine is used with continuous stirring of the mixture. Under comparable conditions and with a 5: 1 ratio of hydrazine hydrate to fatty acid, the rates of hydrogenation of elaidic, ricinoleic and oleic acids are almost identical.