Catalytic hydrogenation of linoleic acid over platinum-group metals supported on alumina

Catalytic activity and selectivity for hydrogenation of linoleic acid (cis-9,cis-12 18:2) were studied on Pt, Pd, Ru, and Ir supported on Al₂O₃. Stearic acid (18:0) and 10 different octadecenoic isomers (18:1) in the products could be separated completely by using a new capillary column coated by isocyanopropyl trisilphenylene siloxane for gas-liquid chromatography. The monoenoic acid isomers and dienoic acid isomers in the products on the various catalysts showed different distributions. The catalysts exhibited nearly equal selectivity for stearic acid formation. The 12-position double bond in linoleic acid has higher reactivity than the 9-position double bond in catalytic hydrogenation on platinum-group metal catalysts. In addition to hydrogenation products of linoleic acid, geometrical and positional dienoic acid isomers (trans-9,trans-12; trans-8,cis-12; cis-9,trans-13; trans-9,cis-13; cis-9,trans-12 18:2), due to isomerization of linoleic acid during hydrogenation, were contained in the reaction products. Ru/Al₂O₃ exhibited the highest activity for isomerization of linoleic acid with the noble metal catalysts. Conjugated octadecadienoic acid isomers have been observed in products of the reaction on Pt/Al₂O₃, Ru/Al₂O₃, and Ir/Al₂O₃. Catalytic activities of noble metals for positional and geometric isomerization of linoleic acid during hydrogenation decreased in the sequence of Ru ≥ Pt > Ir » Pd.     

Gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of geometrical and positional octadecenoic and octadecadienoic acid isomers produced by catalytic hydrogenation of linoleic acid on Ir/Al2O3

Catalytic hydrogenation of linoleic acid was studied on Ir/Al₂O₃. A detailed analysis of geometrical and positional isomers of octadecenoic acid (18:1) in the products was performed by capillary gas-liquid chromatography with a new capillary column coated with isocyanopropyl trisilphenylene siloxane (TC-70). Well-resolved peaks of 10 species of 18:1 were observed in the product. In addition to monoenoic acid isomers, four species of trans-dienoic isomers and conjugated dienoic isomers were found. From the distribution of 18:1 isomers, it was found that the double bond closer to the methyl end (Δ12) showed higher reactivity than that closer to the carboxyl end (Δ9) for hydrogenation. Because cis-8 18:1 and trans-8 18:1 were not observed but cis-10 18:1 and trans-10 18:1 were observed in the products, the double-bond Δ9 did not migrate to the carboxyl end but migrated to the methyl end. On the other hand, the Δ12 bond migrated to both methyl and carboxyl ends. From the distribution of 18:1 isomers in the reaction pathway, the hydrogenation of linoleic acid proceeds via half-hydrogenation states. Cis-18:1 isomers were produced predominantly in the initial stage of the reaction, while trans-18:1 isomers were produced during progress of the reaction. The cis/trans and positional isomerization took place by readsorption of 18:1 produced by the partial hydrogenation of linoleic acid.     

Analyses of fatty acid isomers in two commercially hydrogenated soybean oils

A conventional shortening and a hydrogenated winterized oil have been investigated to determine their composition of natural and isomeric fatty acids. Two solvent systems were applied in countercurrent distributions: the acetonitrile pentane-hexane system for separation of monoenoates from dienoates and the methanolic silver nitrate pentane-hexane system for separation of geometric isomers. Whilecis andtrans monoenoates were well resolved, the separation ofcis,cis fromcis,trans dienoates was complicated by the presence of positional isomers. The fractions isolated were oxidatively cleaved, and the esters of the resultant acids were quantitatively analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography. Although the amounts of saturated components of the two fat products were similar, the percentage oftrans isomers of the shortening was more than twice that of the winterized oil. The amount of oleic acid (cis-9-octadecenoic) was 19.6% for the shortening and 25.4% for the winterized oil. The shortening contained 13.3% linoleic acid (cis,cis-9,12-octadecadienoic), whereas the winterized oil contained 30% linoleic acid. Although our primary interest was in the estimation ofcis-9-octadecenoic andcis,cis-9,12-octadecadienoic acids, the completeness of cleavage data makes it possible to estimate all geometric and positional monoenoate and dienoate isomers in the two fat products. Presented at AOCS meeting in New Orleans, La., May, 1962. A laboratory of the No. Utiliz. Res. and Dev. Div., ARS, USDA.     

Positional and geometrical isomers of linoleic acid in partially hydrogenated oils

The geometrical and positional isomers of linoleic acid of a partially hydrogenated canola oil-based spread were isolated and identified. Through partial hydrazine reduction and mass spectral studies,cis-9,trans-13 octadecadienoic acid was identified as the major isomer. Other quantitatively important isomers characterized werecis-9,trans-12;trans-9,cis-12 andcis-9,cis-15. These four were also the major isomers in margarine based on common vegetable oils. A number of minor isomers were detected and some structures identified weretrans-9,trans-12;trans-8,cis-12;trans-8,cis-13;cis-8,cis-13;trans-9,cis-15;trans-10,cis-15 andcis-9,cis-13. The proportions of the various isomers are given for some margarines in the Canadian retail market. The amounts oftrans-9,trans-12 isomer in Canadian margarines were generally below 0.5% of the total fatty acids.     

Continuous hydrogenation of fats and fatty acids at short contact times1

Continuous hydrogenation of fats and fatty acids using suspended catalysts was studied in a vertical flow reactor packed with Raschig rings. A short time of reactive contact of the fat or the fatty acid with the catalyst and hydrogen is the unique feature of this system. A nickel catalyst used in the hydrogenation of soybean oil gave a reduction of 40-50 iodine value units per min, small amounts oftrans-isorners (10-20%), large proportions of linoleate in unreduced octadecadienoyl moieties (70-80%), and nonselective reduction of polyunsaturated acyl moieties (linoleate selectivity ratio 1-3). Another nickel catalyst, used in the hydrogenation of tallow fatty acids, also gave a reduction of 40-50 iodine value units per min and nonselective reduction of polyunsaturated fatty acids. A copper chromite catalyst used in the hydrogenation of soybean oil gave a reduction of 10-15 iodine value units per min, low levels oftrans- isomers (10-15%), and selective reduction of linolenoyl moieties (linolenate selectivity ratio 4-6). Composition of positional isomers of cis- andtrans-octadecenoyl moieties in partially hydrogenated products obtained both with nickel and copper chromite catalysts reveals that essentially the same mechanisms of isomerization are involved in continuous hydrogenation at short time of reactive contact as in batch hydrogenation. 1The terms “linoloyl” and “linolenoyl” are used throughout to designate9-cis, 12-cis-octadecadienoyl and 9-cis, 12-cis, 15-cis- octadecatrienoyl groups, respectively.     

Isomerization during hydrogenation of soap: II. Potassium elaidate and potassium linoleate

Potassium elaidate in slightly alkaline solution was hydrogenated for up to 7 hr with 1.5% of Rufert nickel catalyst at 150 C and 20 kg/sq cm pressure. Potassium linoleate was similarly hydrogenated with 1.0% catalyst for 7 hr, and the hydrogenation continued for another 7 hr after addition of 0.5% fresh catalyst. Periodic samples from each were analyzed for component acids. The positional isomers in thecis andtrans monoenes, isolated by preparative argentation thin layer (TLC) or column chromatography, were estimated after oxidation to dicarboxylic acids. Some diene fractions were isolated for further examination. In potassium elaidate hydrogenation,cis monoenes were initially produced in considerable amounts, but to a lesser extent thereafter. Positional isomers were similarly distributed in bothcis andtrans monoenes after prolonged hydrogenation. In the hydrogenation of potassium linoleate, a drop in iodine value (IV) of 60 units occurred in the first hour, and 38% oftrans monoenes (in which the 10- and 11-monoenes constitute 32% each) were formed. The IV then fell only slowly, and up to 38% ofcis monoene (mostly 9- and 12-isomers) was formed. Addition of fresh catalyst caused a major shift ofcis monoenes totrans forms. The diene fraction was mostly nonconjugated material with the first double bond at the 9, 8 and 10-positions. Minor amounts of conjugated dienes were present as well as a dimeric product.     

Preparation of deuterium-labelled methyl linoleate and its geometric isomers from natural seed oils

Multi-gram quantities of deuterium-labelled methyl linoleate (methyl cis-9,cis-12-octadecadienoate) and its geometric isomers are readily synthesized fromCrépis alpina (70–80% cis-9-octadecen-12-ynoic acid) andVernonia galamensis (70–80% 12,13-epoxy-cis-9-octadecenoic acid) seed oils. Methylcis- 9,cis- 12- andtrans- 9,cis- – octadecadienoate-12,13-d₂ were prepared by the Lindlar-catalyzed reduction (with D₂ gas) of methylcis- 9- and trans-9-octadecen-12-ynoates, respectively. Methyltrans- 9- octadecen-12-ynoate was synthesized by thep-toluene-sulfinic acid-catalyzed isomerization of the corresponding cis isomer. Methylcis- 9fiis- 12., trans- 9fiis- 12;cis- 9,trans- 12- andtrans- 9, frans-12-octadecadienoate-d₂, d₄ and d₆ were prepared by the Wittig coupling (with stereochemical control) of the appropriate d₂-, d₄- or de-alkyltriphenyl-phosphonium salt with methyl 12-oxo-cis-9- ortrans- 9- dodecenoate (prepared by the para-periodic acid cleavage of methyl 12,13-dihydroxy-cis-9- or trans-9-octadecenoate). Thecis dihydroxy ester was synthesized fromVernonia galamensis seed oil by acetolysis, saponification and then esterification. Thecis dihydroxy ester was isomerized by nitric acid/sodium nitrite to thetrans form and purified by silver resin chromatography. Isotopic purities ranged from 88% (for the d₆ isomers) to 99% (for the d₂ isomers). The mention of firm names or trade products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended over other firms or similar products not mentioned.     

Hydrogenation ofcis-9,cis-12-,cis-9,trans-12- andtrans-9,trans-12- Octadecadienoates

The products formed by hydrogenation of methylcis-9,trans-12- andtrans-9,trans-12-octadecadienoates with nickel and platinum catalysts have been compared with those from methyl esters of the naturally occurring all-cis linoleate. Hydrogen uptake is slower for thetrans isomers. Much of the monoene consisted of esters with double bonds at the 9 and 12 positions with their original geometric configurations. Monoenoic esters with double bonds at the 10 and 11 positions were predominatelytrans and apparently formed by conjugation before hydrogenation. Nickel produced more isomerization than platinum but less than previously reported for copper. With both catalysts hydrogenation proceeded both directly and through conjugated intermediates, in contrast to copper in which all hydrogenation is believed to follow conjugation. Presented at the AOCS Meeting, Los Angeles, April 1972. ARS, USDA.     

Alteration of long chain fatty acids of herring oil during hydrogenation on nickel catalyst

During hydrogenation of a refined herring(Clupea harengus) oil iodine value (IV) 119, on a commercial nickel catalyst, samples were collected at IV 108, 101, 88 and 79. In the early stages of the process, IV 119 to IV 101, the positional and geometrical isomerization of the long chain monoenoic fatty acids (20:1 and 22:1) was hindered by the stronger absorption on the catalyst surface of the polyenes with 4, 5 and 6 double bonds. Consequently at IV 101, 70% of these polyenes had been converted to dienoic and trienoic fatty acids, but only 3-4%trans 20:1 and 22:1 accumulated. As the hydrogenation proceeded, IV 101 to IV 79, the originaleis 20:1 and 22:1 isomers (mainly Δ11 with some ΔA9 and Δ13) decreased and new positional and geometrical isomers (both cis andtrans in positions Δ6 to Δ15) were formed. The majortrans isomers were Δ11 accompanied by important proportions of Δ10 and Δ12. At IV 79, moretrans 20:1 (ca. 36%) thantrans 22:1 (ca. 29%) was detected. Monoethylenic fatty acids newly formed from polyethylenic fatty acids made only minor contributions to the total 20:1 and 22:1 at these levels of hydrogenation, but a “memory effect” which skews the proportions of minorcis andtrans isomers can be attributed to the proportions of minorcis 22:1 isomers (Δ9, Δ13 and Δ15) orginally present. Presented in part at AOCS Annual Conference, San Francisco, May 1979.     

Alkali isomerization of linoleate isomers: Characterization of products

Geometrical isomers of methyl linoleate were reacted with alakli, and the resulting conjugated isomers were separated intotrans,trans;cis,trans; andcis,cis fractions. The position of double bonds in the various fractions was determined by reductive ozonolysis.trans-9,trans-12-Isomer of linoleate formedtrans,trans- andcis,trans-conjugated dienes, whereascis-9,trans-12- andtrans-9,cis-12-isomers in addition formedcis,cis-conjugated dienes. The formation of the products is in accordance with the theoretical predictions. During conjugationtrans double bonds shifted to form atrans bond preferentially. During conjugation ofcis-9,trans-12- andtrans-9,cis-12-linoleate isomers, thecis double bond shifted preferentially over thetrans double bond. A small amount of diene not conjugated was probably a geometrical and positional isomer of the starting material.     

Isomerization during hydrogenation. I. Oleic acid

Summary It was found that during the hydrogenation of octadecenoic acids, migration of the double bonds takes place equally in each direction. The positional isomers that are formed are composed of the 1∶2 equilibrium mixture ofcis andtrans. A partial hydrogenation-dehydrogenation theory may be applied to explain the simultaneous formation of both positional and geometrical isomers. Presented at the annual spring meeting of the American Oil Chemists' Society, San Antonio, Tex., Apr. 12–14, 1954.     

cis andtrans Analysis of fatty esters by gas chromatography: Octadecenoate and octadecadienoate isomers

A gas chromatographic method has been developed for quantitative determination of thecis andtrans percentages in octadecenoate and octadecodienoate esters. To separatecis- andtrans-monoene and diene isomers on a packed GC column, the fatty esters were stereospecifically epoxipized with peracetic acid. A simple and quantitative epoxidation procedure allows thecis- andtrans-epoxyoctadecanoates to be analyzed without prior isolation from the reaction mixture. No positional or geometric isomerization of the double bond occurred during epoxidation. Synthetic mixtures containingcis- andtrans-6,-9 and-12 octadecenoate isomers were completely separated intocis andtrans fractionstrans-15-Octadecenoate was the only isomer investigated that partially interfered in the analysis. Diene mixtures containingrans,trans-, cis,trans- andcis,-cis-9,12-octadecadienoates were also successfully analyzed by gas liquid chromatography (GLC) after epoxidation with peracetic acid. Each diene isomer formed two pairs of diepoxy diastereomers, some of which could be separated. Onecis,cis-diepoxyoctadecanoate diastereomer peak overlapped thecis,trans-diepoxyoctadecanoate peaks. The totalcis,-cis-diepoxyoctadecanoate percentages were calculated by using the ratio of the twocis,cis-diepoxyoctadecanoate diastereomers. Other positional octadecadienoate isomers were also epoxidized and analyzed by GLC. The large number of possible octadecadienoate isomers requires that some preeiminary fractionation be made before GC analysis is practical for diene isomers. Presented at the AOCS Meeting, Atlantic, City, October 1971 N. Market. Nutr. Res. Div., ARS, USDA.     

Hydrogenation of linolenate. VII. Separation and identification of isomeric dienes and monoenes

Isomeric dienes and monoenes produced by partial hydrogenation of linolenic acid have been separated by the combined use of low-temp crystallization and countercurrent distribution.Cis, trans dienes have been separated fromcis, cis dienes.Cis, cis conjugatable dienes have been partially separated fromcis,cis nonconjugatable dienes. Dienes with onetrans double bond were separated by gas chromatography into two groups:cis, trans andtrans, cis. Individual positional isomers could not be separated. Cis-9 monoene was separated fromcis-12,cis-15, andtrans monoenes by low-temp crystallization. Countercurrent distribution at 3,000 transfers only partially separated this mixture ofcis-12,cis-15, andtrans monoenes. The double bond in bothcis andtrans monoenes was found in all carbon positions, 7 through 16, showing for the first time that the 15, 16 bond of linolenic acid had moved away from the carboxyl. The majorcis bonds remained at carbons 9, 12, and 15. Combination of countercurrent distribution fractions has produced samples containing 95%cis, cis dienes; 90%cis, trans ortrans, cis dienes; 95%cis monoenes; and 90%trans monoenes. Presented at the AOCS meeting at Chicago, Ill., 1961. A laboratory of the No. Utiliz. Res. & Dev. Div., ARS, U.S.D.A.     

Hydrogenation of fatty oils with palladium catalysts. V. Products of the tall oil industry

Conditions were found for reducing tall oil distillate to an iodine number of 22 with a sufficiently small amount of palladium catalyst to make the process commereially feasible. The operating conditions were 200°C and 2,600 psi. Tall oil fatty acids were reduced with palladium and the concentration of linoleic acid,cis-oleic acid, saturated acid, andtrans isomers were determined as a function of iodine number. The five-platinum group metals (Pt, Pd, Ir, Rh, Ru) were compared as to activity, selectivity of partial hydrogenation, and tendeney to formtrans-isomers.     

Positional specificity of γ-ketol formation from linoleic acid hydroperoxides by a corn germ enzyme

We have shown unequivocally that the positional specificity of γ-ketol formation by a corn germ enzyme was different from that observed previously by others with an alfalfa seedling enzyme. When the pure positional isomers of linoleic acid hydroperoxide served as substrates, the corn germ enzyme formed one of two γ-ketols: 12-oxo-9-hydroxy-trans-10-octadecenoic acid from 13-hydroperoxy-cis-9,trans-11-octadecadienoic acid (99+% pure) and 10-oxo-13-hydroxy-trans-11-octadecenoic acid from 9-hydroperoxy-trans-10,cis-12-octadecadienoic acid (96% pure). Also isolated from these reactions was one of two α-ketols commonly found as a result of catalysis by linoleic acid hydroperoxide isomerase: 12-oxo-13-hydroxy-cis-9-octadecenoic acid from the 13-hydroperoxide and 10-oxo-9-hydroxy-cis-12-octadecenoic acid from the 9-hydroperoxide. Evidence is offered that γ-ketol formation is catalyzed by linoleic acid hydroperoxide isomerase, the same enzyme responsible for α-ketol production. Presented at the AOCS Spring Meeting, Dallas, Texas, April, 1975.     

Structural importance of thecis-5 ethylenic bond in the endogenous desaturation product of dietary elaidic acid,cis-5,trans-9 18∶2 acid,for the acylation of rat mitochondria phosphatidylinositol

When rats were fed elaidic (trans-9 18∶1) acid at a high load in diets that were otherwise marginally or almost completely deficient in linoleic (cis-9,cis-12 18∶2) acid, elaidic acid was desaturated tocis-5,trans-9 18∶2 acid. This polymethylene-interrupted acid was then incorporated into most phospholipids from rat mitochondria, cardiolipin being an exception. Its level of esterification in phospholipids followed the increasing order: phosphatidylethanolamine <phosphatidylcholine < phosphatidylinositol (PI). The content ofci-5,trans-9 18∶2 acid decreased in organs in the order liver > kidney > heart. The levels ofcis-5,trans-9 18∶2 acid increased in mitochondria phospholipids as the level of linoleic acid was lowered in the diet. In liver mitochondria PI, it reached 16% of total fatty acids. After hydrolysis of liver mitochondria PI withNaja naja phospholipase A₂, we observed that elaidic acid was essentially esterified to position 1 at the expense of saturated acids, whereascis-5,trans-9 18∶2 acid was exclusively esterified to position 2, along with 20∶3n−9 and 20∶4n−6 acids. As a consequence, the sums of saturated andtrans-9 18∶1 acids on the one hand, and of 20∶3n−9, 20∶4n−6, andcis-5,trans-9 18⩺2 acids on the other hand, remained fairly constant in liver mitochondria PI (ca. 55 and 30%, respectively). Becausetrans-9 18∶1 andcis-5,trans-9 18∶2 acids differ only by thecis-5 ethylenic bond, which is also present in 20∶3n−9 and 20∶4n−6 acids, this distribution pattern indicates that thecis-5 double bond, rather than any other ethylenic bond, may be of major structural importance for channeling fatty acids to position 2 of PI.     

Homolytic decomposition of linoleic acid hydroperoxide: Identification of fatty acid products

An isomeric mixture of linoleic acid hydroperoxides, 13-hydroperoxy-cis-9,trans-11-octadecadienoic acid (79%) and 9-hydroperoxy-cis-12,trans-10-octadecadienoic acid (21%), was decomposed homolytically by Fe(II) in an ethanol-water solution. In one series of experiments, the hydroperoxides were decomposed by catalytic concentrations of Fe(II). The 10⁻⁵ M Fe(III) used to initiate the decomposition was kept reduced as Fe(II) by a high concentration of cysteine added to the reaction in molar excess of the hydroperoxides. Nine different monomeric (no detectable dimeric) fatty acids were identified from the reaction. Analyses of these fatty acids revealed that they were mixtures of positional isomers identified as follows: (I) 13-oxo-trans,trans-(andcis,trans-) 9,11-octadecadienoic and 9-oxo-trans,trans- (andcis,trans-) 10,12-octadecadienoic acids; (II) 13-oxo-trans-9,10-epoxy-trans-11-octadecenoic and 9-oxo-trans-12, 13-epoxy-trans-10-octadecenoic acids; (III) 13-oxo-cis-9,10-epoxy-trans-11-octadecenoic and 9-oxo-cis-12, 13-epoxy-trans-10-octadecenoic acids; (IV) 13-hydroxy-9,11-octadecadienoic and 9-hydroxy-10,12-octadecadienoic acids; (V) 11-hydroxy-trans-12, 13-epoxy-cis-9-octadecenoic and 11-hydroxy-trans-9, 10-epoxy-cis-12-octadecenoic acids; (VI) 11-hydroxy-trans-12, 13-epoxy-trans-9-octadecenoic and 11-hydroxy-trans-9,10-epoxy-trans-12-octadecenoic acids; (VII) 13-oxo-9-hydroxy-trans-10-octadecenoic acids; (VIII) isomeric mixtures of 9, 12, 13-dihydroxyethoxy-trans-10-octadecenoic and 9, 10, 13-dihydroxyethoxy-trans-11-octadecenoic acids; and (IX) 9, 12, 13-trihydroxy-trans-10-octadecenoic and 9, 10, 13-trihydroxy-trans-11-octadecenoic acids. In another experiment, equimolar amounts of Fe(II) and hydroperoxide were reacted in the absence of cysteine. A large proportion of dimeric fatty acids and a smaller amount of monomeric fatty acids resulted. The monomeric fatty acids were examined by gas liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Spectra indicated that the monomers were largely similar to those produced by the Fe(III)-cysteine reaction. Presented in part at the American Chemical Society Meeting, Los Angeles, March 1974. ARS, USDA.     

New synthesis ofcis-3,cis-5- andtrans-3,cis-5-tetradecadienoic acids,pheromone constituents ofattagenus elongatulus andA. megatoma

A new method for the synthesis ofcis-3,cis-5- andtrans-3,cis-5-tetradecadienoic acids, pheromone constituents of the dermestid beetlesAttagenus elongatulus andA. megatoma, was developed. The syntheses are based upon the formation oftrans-2-tetradecen-5-ynoic acid by reaction of 4-bromo-2-butenoic acid with 1-decynylmagnesium bromide. The enynoic acid undergoes alkali-induced isomerization to yield a mixture of acids from whichcis-3- andtrans-3-tetradecen-5-ynoic acids were separated in 31% and 34% yields, respectively. Methyltrans-2-tetradecen-5-ynoate was similarly prepared and isomerized to furnish methylcis-3-tetradecen-5-ynoate in 8% yield. Reduction of the tetradecenynoic acids with dicyclohexylborane gavecis-3,cis-5-andtrans-3,cis-5-tetradecadienoic acids in 4% and 39% yields, respectively. A better yield (49%) in the reduction ofcis-3-tetradecen-5-ynoic acid tocis-3,cis-5-tetradecadienoic acid was obtained by hydrogenation over Lindlar's catalyst. Similarly, reduction of methylcis-3-tetradecen-5-ynoate with disiamylborane gave 22% methylcis-3,cis-5-tetradecadienoate.     

Participation of thecis-12 ethylenic bond tocis-trans isomerization of thecis-9 andcis-15 ethylenic bonds in heated α-linolenic acid

To understand thecis-trans isomerization reaction of ethylenic bonds in heated octadecatrienoic acids (occurring during industrial deodorization of oils), we have prepared a mixture ofcis-9,cis-12,cis-15, andcis-9,cis-15 18:2 acids by partial hydrazine reduction ofcis-9,cis-12,cis-15 18:3 acid present in linseed oil. This mixture (as fatty acid methyl esters) was heated under vacuum at 270°C for 2.25 h. The two methylene-interrupted acids isomerize at a similar rate under such conditions, but the nonmethylene-interruptedcis-9,cis-15 18:2 acid remains unchanged. This means that the mechanism of isomerization does not involve a direct interaction between the two external ethylenic bonds as previously hypothesized. The centralcis-12 ethylenic bond is apparently necessary for the isomerization of the two externalcis-9 andcis-15 ethylenic bonds. However, this bond is itself rather protected against isomerization in the originalcis-9,cis-12,cis-15 18:3 acid which is mainly isomerized totrans-9,cis-12,trans-15,cis-9,cis-12,trans-15, andtrans-9,cis-12,cis-15 18:3 acids. Thecis-9,trans-12,cis-15 18:3 isomer is less than 10% of totaltrans isomers of α-linolenic acid. As a general rule, only one of the two double bonds in a methylene-interrupted diethylenic system can undergocis-trans isomerization when submitted to heat treatment, at least for temperatures equal to or less than 270°C.     

Preparation of 9,15-octadecadienoate isomers1

Linolenic acid was reduced with hydrazine to produce a mixture containing a max of dienoic acids. After methylation this mixture was separated into trienoic, dienoic, monoenoic, and saturated esters by countercurrent distribution (CCD) with acetonitrile and hexane. The dienoic ester was further fractionated by CCD with methanolic silver nitrate and hexane to separate purecis,cis-9,15-octadecadienoate and the equimixture ofcis,cis-9,12- and 12,15-octadecadienoates. Following isomerization of thecis,cis-9,15-octadecadienoate with selenium, the geometric isomers were fractionated by CCD with methanolic silver nitrate and hexane. Puretrans,trans and purecis,cis isomers were isolated, as well as an unresolved mixture ofcis,trans andtrans,cis isomers. The characteristics of these isomers and related compounds are compared as determined by CCD, IR absorption, and capillary gas-liquid chromatography (GLC). Presented at the AOCS meeting in Minneapolis, 1963. A laboratory of the No. Utiliz. Res. and Dev. Div., ARS, USDA.