Tulane Educational Fund

Peter N Pintauro

An electrocatalytic process for hydrogenating an unsaturated fatty acid, triglyceride, or mixtures thereof as an oil or fat is described. Current is passed through a cathode and hydrogen is generated in situ on the high surface area, low hydrogen overvoltage catalytic material used as the cathode in a reactor containing a liquid reaction medium (electrolyte) comprised of oil and/or fat, water and/or an organic solvent (e.g. t-butanol), and a supporting electrolyte salt. Typical catalytic cathodes comprise a granular or powdered Raney metal or an alloy thereof, platinum black, ruthenium black, or finely divided carbon powder containing platinum, palladium, or ruthenium. Typical supporting electrolyte salts include sodium p-toluenesulfonate, tetraethylammonium p-toluenesulfonate, and sodium or potassium phosphate monobasic. A novel partially hydrogenated oil or fat product is obtained when the above process is carred out at temperatures less than 75.degree. C. The product is characterized by a trans isomer content lower than that of a hydrogenated product which is prepared by a high temperature, chemical catalytic process. The specific isomer selectivity index of cis to trans isomer was 0.36 or less.

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Kenner, LA, United States of America

Peter N Pintauro