Selective hydrogenation of the cyclopropene acid groups in cottonseed oil

The cyclopropene acid groups in cottonseed oil can be modified by a light hydrogenation which will not produce large amounts oftrans isomers or lower the iodine value to a significant extent. Optimum conditions, as indicated by this investigation, are 105-115C, 20 psig hydrogen pressure, 0.1% electrolytic nickel as catalyst, and a low hydrogen-dispersion rate. Under milder conditions of hydrogenation the elimination of the cyclopropenes was accompanied by a lower formation oftrans isomers and a lower hydrogenation of noncyclopropenes, but the time required increased. In one hydrogenation carried out with commercial nickel catalyst, the 0.4% of malvalic acid groups in the cottonseed oil was hydrogenated completely whereas the iodine value was reduced by only 1.7 units and only 2.1% oftrans isomers was formed. AVinterization of cottonseed oils which had been hydrogenated to the point of eliminating their response to the Halphen test and in which only small amounts of saturated acid groups andtrans isomers had been formed gave yields equal to or better than those of the original oil. Hydrogénation actually increased the ease of winterization. 2 So. Utiliz. Ees. Dev. Div, ARS, USDA.