PATENT

3091. -----[RUHRCHEMIE, A.G.] [Process for Separating Branched-Chain Fatty Acids From Mixtures of Their Isomers and Homologs.]  German Patent Appl. --, R 614, filed May 14, 1942. Fiat Reel K-30, frames 7,686-7,689; PB 73,587; TOM Reel 36, bag 3,454, item 36, 4 pp.; Meyer Transl. PC-S-IV, Wax Oxidation, vol.1, ch.9, 1948, p. 23.

In the separation of branched-chain fatty acids from mixtures of their isomers and homologs by the incomplete saponification and extraction of the unsaponified portion, the extent of incomplete saponification is so chosen that no noteworthy separation in accordance with molecular size occurs, whereupon the treatment is repeated many times.  For example, the operation may be performed is such a way that at the beginning a 95% saponification takes place whereby the unsaponified residue is extracted with benzine and the 1^st low-freezing fraction removed.  The remaining soap mixture is converted with mineral acids into a mixture of free fatty acids, which are again so far incompletely saponified that still no separation by molecular size occurs.  Thus the 2d low-freezing fraction is obtained.  This method of treatment is continued as long as the freezing point of the extracted fraction remains low enough.