Author
|
Submitted to: Lipid Technology
Publication Type: Other Publication Acceptance Date: 11/19/2014 Publication Date: 12/1/2014 Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/60658 Citation: Lew, H.N. 2014. Improved synthesis of isostearic acid using zeolite catalysts. Lipid Technology. 26(11-12):246-248. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Isostearic acids are unique and important biobased products with superior properties. Unfortunately, they are not widely utilized in industry because they are produced as byproducts from a process called clay-catalyzed oligomerization of tall oil fatty acids. Generally, this clay method results in the formation of monomeric (10-40% isostearic acids and iso-oleic acids) and predominantly oligomeric (60-80% dimer and trimer) fatty acid fractions. There is a need to develop new technologies to produce isostearic acids efficiently and economically. This feature article provides a brief summary on the existing and new methodologies for isostearic acid production, with a particular focus on our breakthrough zeolite methods to produce isostearic acids with a more desirable yield (>80 wt%) and conversion (>95%). |
