| Abstract: | The isomerizing hydroformylation of fatty acid esters to oleochemicals with an additional ω‐standing aldehyde group can be performed at a relatively low temperature of 115 °C and a synthesis gas pressure of 20 bar. In the case of oleic acid ester, the best yield of linear aldehyde is 26%; in the case of linoleic acid ester, it is 34%. For both fatty compounds, a strong hydrogenation side reaction is observed, which can be explained by a steering effect of the ester group. The ester function of the fatty compounds makes hydroformylation in the surrounding area of this group impossible. Reactions with the model substances ethyl crotonate and ethyl sorbate showed that hydrogenation predominates, leading to the corresponding saturated compounds. |
