The oxidation of monoethenoid fatty acids and esters. the autoxidation products of erucic acid and its methyl and n‐propyl ester

Abstract

The products of catalytic autoxidation of highly purified erucic acid and its methyl and propyl esters have been investigated. Saponification of the oxidized esters gives acidic dimeric compounds which eventually break down to mixtures containing keto‐hydroxy, unsaturated ketonic, and epoxy derivatives in addition to 13: 14‐dihydroxybehenic acid. The characteristic oily resinous derivatives invariably found in the oxidation products contain carbonyl groups. Some possible reaction mechanisms are discussed.