PROCESS FOR THE ISOMERISATION OF SUBSTITUTED ALKENES

摘要

The invention relates to a process for the isomerization of unsaturated fatty acids or esters or amides thereof, said process comprising reacting: (a) an unsaturated fatty acid or ester or amide thereof; (b) a source of Pd; (c) a bidentate diphosphine of formula I, R1R2 > P1-R-P2 < R3R4 (I) wherein P1 and P2 represent phosphorus atoms; R1, R2, R3 and R4 represent tertbutyl; and wherein R represents an optionally substituted aromatic group spanning P1 and P2; (d) a lower alcohol; and (e) an acid co-catalyst, under conditions for isomerization to take place. The process is particularly advantageous for the isomerization of substituted alkenes harbouring a hydroxy group when the desired end product has a keto group, such as ricinoleic acid or ester thereof.