GB342670A - Improvements in the refining of fatty acids obtained by the oxidation of paraffin wax or other high molecular organic compounds - Google Patents

Abstract

The crude fatty acids formed by the oxidation of paraffin wax or other high molecular organic compound with the higher oxides of nitrogen or nitric acid, are purified by heating or distillation below about 300 DEG C. with a reducing gas and, if desired, at increased pressure. Carbon monoxide, hydrogen or mixtures of these e.g. water or power gas may be used alone, or mixed with ammonia, steam or carbon dioxide as diluents. A hydrogenating catalyst may be used. The treatment may be effected in a tower filled with Raschig rings or clay, or in an autoclave. The nitrogen-containing fatty acids, formed during oxidation, are stated to be reduced or split off. The crude acids obtained by the oxidation of paraffin wax with nitrogen oxides after washing free from mineral acid, are then (1) distilled at 280 DEG C. in a current of hydrogen, or (2) reduced by zinc and dilute sulphuric acid at 60 DEG C., or (3) dispersed in an acid or alkaline electrolyte and reduced electrolytically, or (4) freed from unoxidized wax by warming with methyl alcohol, and treating the resulting alcoholic solution of fatty acids at 40 DEG C. with hydrogen in the presence of hydrochloric acid and platinum asbestos as catalysts. The solution may thereafter be further purified by treatment with chlorine water, hydrogen peroxide or distillation. The remaining traces of amido acids may be removed by petroleum ether. Specification 324,492, [Class 2 (iii), Dyes &c.], is referred to.ALSO:The crude fatty acids formed by the oxidation of paraffin wax or other high molecular organic compound with the higher oxides of nitrogen or nitric acid, are purified by heating or distilling below about 300 DEG C. with a reducing gas and, if desired, at increased pressure. Carbon monoxide, hydrogen or mixtures of these, e.g. power or water gas may be used, or mixed with ammonia, steam or carbon dioxide as diluents. A hydrogenating catalyst may be used. The treatment may be effected in a tower packed with Raschig rings or clay, or in an autoclave. The nitrogen-containing fatty acids formed during oxidation, are stated to be reduced or split off. The crude acids obtained by the oxidation of paraffin wax with nitrogen oxides after washing free from mineral acid, are then (1) distilled at 280 DEG C. in a current of hydrogen, or (2) reduced by zinc and dilute sulphuric acid at 60 DEG C., or (3) dispersed in an acid or alkaline electrolyte and reduced electrolytically, or (4) freed from unoxidized wax by warming with methyl alcohol, and treating the resulting alcoholic solution of fatty acids at 40 DEG C. with hydrogen in the presence of hydrochloric acid and platinum asbestos as a catalyst. The solution may thereafter be further purified by treatment with chlorine water, hydrogen peroxide or distillation. The remaining traces of amido-acids may be removed by petroleum ether. Specification 324,492, [Class 2 (iii), Dyes &c.], is referred to.