Purification of erucic acid by low-temperature crystallization

Purification of crucic acid for laboratory use by low-temperature crystallization from aqueous acetone, ethanol, and methanol has been investigated. Two crystallizations of technical grade commercial acid (76–86%) from acetone-water (5∶1) provided products of 94–98% purity, depending on the original composition; residual impurities were primarily C₂₀ monoene and C₂₂ saturated acids. A laboratory of the Northern Utilization Research and Development Division, Agricultural Research Service, USDA.