National Distillers and Chemical Corporation

Internationale Octrooi Maatschappij 'Octropa' Bv

Jacob Van Dijk

Cornelis M Lok

Johannes Helmond

Dirk Verzijl

Jan G Dekker

Johannes W Renken

A process is provided whereby high trimer content products are obtained by the polymerization of unsaturated fatty acids or lower alkyl esters thereof. The process entails heating the fatty acid/ester material at a temperature of at least 120.degree. C. in the presence of a sulphonic acid catalyst which is dissolved therein.

Process for the trimerization of unsaturated fatty acids

The invention provides new catalysts, useful for various hydrogenation reactions, which consist of 5 to 40% (w/w) of nickel upon a transition alumina, in particular gamma alumina support. These catalysts have an active nickel surface area of between 80 and 300, preferably 100-250 m.sup.2 /g of nickel and the nickel crystallites have an average diameter of 1 to 5, preferably 1.5 to 3 nanometers. The nickel crystallites are dispersed for at least 95% in the pores of the alumina.

Nickel catalyst on alumina support

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Maassluis, Netherlands

Jacob Van Dijk