Partial Hidrogenation Of Sunflower Oil: Use Of Edible Modifiers Of The Cis/Trans-Selectivity

GABRIELA TONETTO; JHON F. SANCHEZ; MARÍA LUJÁN FERREIRA; DANIEL DAMIANI

JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR CATALYSIS A-CHEMICAL

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2009 vol. 299 p. 88 - 92

1381-1169

The partial hydrogenation of sunflower oil with minimum trans-isomer formation is studied, using a Pd/ã-alumina catalyst modified with promoters apt for human consumption: ethyl benzoate and magnesium glycinate. It was found that the hydrogenation rate diminishes with the additions of the modifiers. Regarding the cis/trans-selectivity, significant differences were found: ethyl benzoate promoted the formation of trans-isomers, whereas magnesium glycinate diminished it. The results can be interpreted in terms of different effects: change in the electron density of palladium, which affects the relative adsorption strength of the reactant, intermediates and hydrogen, and a block of part of the surface by the modifiers. Theoretical calculations were performed to support this hypothesis.