PATENTS

      1426.  ------.  [I. G. FARBENINDUSTRIE, A. G.]  [Process for Producing Fatty Acids or Salts of Fatty Acids.]  German Patent Appl. I 69,044. OZ 12,614. filed Mar. 5. 1941 (Cl. IV d-12 o).  FIAT Reel 165, frames 3,561-3,565; PB 66,689.

            In a process for producing fatty acids or salts of fatty acids, a mixture of paraffinic and olefinic hydrocarbons obtained by cracking of natural or synthetic paraffins or by the catalytic hydrogenation of CO in presence of CO or Fe catalysts is treated in the presence of catalysts with CO and alcohol.  The esters of fatty acids contained in the conversion mixture are saponified and the fatty acids or the salts of fatty acids are recovered.  The catalysts may consist preferably of carbonyl-forming metals, particularly Ni and Co, or Fe, W, and Mo, their compounds or mixtures, or Cu.  Example:  1,500 parts of a diesel oil with I number 50, b. 72º-170º under 16 mm. pressure, hydroxyl number 25 and the carbonyl number 20, and obtained by the hydrogenation of CO, are heated with 300 parts EtOH in presence of 30 parts of CuI and 20 of Raney Ni for 24 hr. to 270º with the simultaneous injection of CO under 180-200 atm. pressure.  When no more CO is absorbed, the un-used alcohol is driven off and the remainder heated with 3,000 parts 50% alcohol and 400 parts KOH for 6 hr. to b. p..  The unconverted portion comes to the surface and is removed.  The soap solution is extracted with ligroin, then freed from alcohol by steaming and acidified with H₂SO₄.  The fatty acids then separate out.  The unconverted portion amounts in total to 973 parts or 65%.  By distilling the fatty acids there are obtained in 17% yield a fraction b. 125º-150º under 0.5 mm. pressure, and in 40% yield a fraction b. 150º-200º under 0.5 mm. pressure.  The acid number falls with increasing b. p about 300-230.