Homogeneously catalysed hydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acids to unsaturated fatty alcohols

The use of copper and cadmium oxides or soaps as catalysts for the hydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acids to unsaturated fatty alcohols has been investigated. It is shown that copper soaps homogeneously activate hydrogen. When copper and cadmium oxides are used as catalysts, they react with the acid under formation of a homogeneous soap solution. A continuous reaction system for the preparation of unsaturated fatty alcohols by hydrogenation under the influence of copper and cadmium soaps is described.