PRODUCTS OF DIMERIZATION OF UNSATURATED FATTY-ACIDS .8. THE FRACTION OF INTERMEDIATES OBTAINED BY DIMERIZATION OF UNSATURATED FATTY-ACIDS

The fraction of "intermediates" which is obtained by dimerisation of unsaturated fatty acid contains straight chain saturated fatty acids with 20-24 carbon atoms as well as methyl branched isomers thereof. The production of these compounds is probably caused by the presence of small amounts of monounsaturated fatty acids with 20-24 carbon atoms in the starting material. The fraction of "intermediates" contains in addition monocarboxylic acids with 36 carbon atoms. These are probably formed after dimerisation by an intramolecular cyclisation reaction under participation of one carboxylic group, followed by hydrogenation of the produced carbonyl group. Finally the formed alcoholic group is eliminated as a water molecule, and the produced double bond is hydrogenated.