Studies on castor oil. II. Hydrogenation of castor oil

Abstract

Summary Products of low iodine value (<10.0) and hydroxyl value (35–40) can be readily obtained by hydrogenating castor oil at atmospheric pressure and at temperatures of the order of 220°, using 1.0% Raney nickel. Dehydration of ricinoleic acid and subsequent hydrogenation of the resulting double bond as also simple saturation of ricinoleic acid are the main reactions occurring during the hydrogenation of castor oil under ordinary conditions. Increase in the amount of catalyst favors more the hydrogenation of double bond at lower temperatures and both dehydration and hydrogenation at about 220°, which seems to be the optimum temperature for the maximum conversion of ricinoleic acid into nonhydroxy acids with both Raney and dryreduced nickel at atmospheric pressures. Higher proportions of catalyst, addition of catalyst stepwise, and higher temperature of hydrogenation cause considerable splitting and estolide formation. When hydrogenation is carried out at room temperature, under a pressure of 40 p.s.i. with alcohol as solvent, a product rich in monohydroxy stearic acid is obtained. True unsaturation of hydrogenated castor oil is measured by the Wijs method at 15–20°C.