Homogeneously catalyzed hydrogenation and gas‐liquid chromatographic analysis of the methyl esters of cyclopropene fatty acids

Abstract

AbstractVarious concentrations of cyclopropene fatty acids have been determined down to 0.2% by the use of gas liquid chromatographic (GLC) analysis of the methyl esters of fatty acids that have been quantitatively hydrogenated using a homogeneous transition metal complex catalyst. The effectiveness of the use of bromotris(triphenylphosphine)‐rhodium(I), Br(P(C6H5)3)3Rh, as a homogeneous hydrogenation catalyst to convert the cyclopropene ring to a cyclopropane ring has been evaluated and compared with the analogous chloro‐ and iodo‐complexes. The hydrogenation/GLC method of analysis has been compared with the method of titration with hydrogen bromide in benzene and with the method involving the use of high resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).