PATENTS

3147.----- [RUHRCHEMIE, A. G.]  [Production of High-Molecular Fatty Acids.]  German Patent Appl. --, R 108,639, PA 755,183, filed Oct. 31, 1940 (Cl. IV d-12 o).  FIAT ReelB-196, frames 267-269; PB 83,253

In the production of fatty acids by oxidation of paraffins obtained by synthesis from CO and H₂ in accordance with the process of German Patent Appl.  R 107,858 (abs. 2909), the oxidizing agent is an acidified alkali-bichromate solution and repeated oxidation treatments with loss of material are necessary.  It has now been found that better results are obtained if a paraffin is used that has been produced from a synthesis gas the CO:H₂ ratio of which is < 1:2, particularly water gas, and which has been recycled.  The resulting hydrocarbons have a higher olefin content and require only a double oxidation to obtain a product with 34% of fatty acids.  By the shortened oxidation time a yield of 85-90% is obtained instead of 70-75% by the longer method.  In 1 example a hard paraffin produced over an Fe catalyst at 235° and 20 atm. pressure has an I value of 6.6, a solidifying point of 96%, a penetration value of 1.5, a neutral value of 0, and saponification value of 1.08.  1,000 gm. of this paraffin were treated 2 times for 4 hr. at 60°-120° with a mixture of 1,250 gm. of Na bichromate and 7,000 gm. of 55% H2SO4.  A yield of 8,681 (sic) gm. of fatty acid material was obtained having a neutral value of 34.1, a saponification value of 34.1, a penetration value of 0.5, an I value of 1.0, and a solidifying point of 96°.  The equal neutral and saponification values reveal the absence of fatty acid esters.