Oxidation of monoethenoid fatty acids and esters : Catalytic oxidation of ethylene glycol dielaidate

The preparation and properties of highly purified ethylene glycol dielaidate is described and a study of its union with gaseous oxygen at 55°, 85° and 120° has been made. The reactivity of the ester towards oxygen is compared with that of the normal methyl and propyl esters, and with the behaviour of the corresponding cis-ester. The main products of gaseous oxidation of ethylene glycol dielaidate have been examined and include 9, 10-dihydroxystearic acid, oily and resinous ketonic polymers and monobasic and dibasic scission products. A mechanism of autoxidation is advanced offering an explanation for the mode of formation of the several products.