Use of hydrazine as a reducing agent for unsaturated compounds. I. The hydrogenation of oleic acid

Abstract

Abstract The hydrogenation of oleic acid by hydrazine hydrate in ethanol solutions has been investigated and it has been shown that the rate of the reaction is increased (i) by using an excess of hydrazinc (a molecular ratio oleic: hydrazine of 2 or more), (ii) by raising the temperature and (iii) by continuous stirring of the solution. Earlier investigations have suggested that the reaction is relatively slow, but it has now been demonstrated that at 50° with agitation of the solutions, 93% of oleic acid originally present may be changed to stearic acid in 6 hours, so that this method of hydrogenation may have applications, especially as hydrazine is now readily produced on an industrial scale.