Scheme 5. Hydrogenation of fatty acids and esters.

Hydrogenation of (A) oleic acid and its triglyceride triolein and (B) sunflower oil. General conditions: (A) 1.5 mmol substrate, 2.9 mol % (8.8 mg) of catalyst with respect to Co, 0.5 ml of solvent if used, 150°C, 40 bar H₂, 18 hours; (B) 30 ml (25.68 g) of substrate, 100 mg of catalyst, 150°C, 40 bar H₂, 19 hours. Conversions were determined via ¹H NMR using mesitylene as internal standard.

Photo Credit: Florian K. Scharnagl, Leibniz-Institut für Katalyse e.V. an der Universität Rostock.