Hydrolysis of methyl esters in dimethylsulfoxide for production of fatty acids
US5440061A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 29, 1994 |
| Grant date | Aug 8, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 29, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC07C51/09
- WIPO fieldOrganic fine chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention relates to an improved process for preparing fatty acids from alkyl, preferably methyl esters comprising mixing the fatty acid ester with water, acid catalyst, and DMSO in order to form a single phase reaction mixture. The single phase reaction mixture is then heated to a temperature of from about 70.degree. C. to about 130.degree. C. to hydrolyze the fatty acid ester into the corresponding acid and volatile alcohol and removing the volatile alcohol. The acid catalyst is heat and water stable and the reaction mixture is essentially free of C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 carboxylic acids. The initial stoichiometric ratio of the water to the ester is at least about 1:1.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.