Hydrolysis of triacylglyceridesin the presence of tin(IV) catalysts

Abstract Tin(IV)-based compounds (mono-n-butyltin hydroxide oxide ( a ), di- n -butyl-oxo-stannane ( b ), di-n-butyl tin dilaurate ( c ) and tin oxide ( d )) were used as catalysts in the hydrolysis of triacylglycerides (TGs). The effects of the nature and amount of the catalysts, the nature of the TGs, the temperature and reaction time were evaluated. Compared with the usual industrial processes, these systems showed excellent activities at mild temperatures and pressures, and low amounts of catalyst (ca. 0.3% w /w oil ). Fatty acid (FA) conversions of ca. 97% were obtained at 180 °C, 4 h at oil:water:catalyst a molar ratio of 1:24:0.01 and, using soybean oil.