Fast and Selective Solvent-Free Branching of Unsaturated Fatty Acids with Hierarchical ZSM-5

Branched fatty acids are of great interest in the oleochemical industry for many high-end applications due to their interesting physicochemical properties. In last decades, research has focused mainly on use ferrierite (FER) as catalyst isomerization into these branched acids. With FER, high yields can be obtained. FER is however expensive, and additives necessary obtain a selectivity toward this letter, we focus ZSM-5, much cheaper zeolite, which been extensively studied past other reactions. Five commercial ZSM-5 samples one hierarchical sample were tested The results clearly show that accessibility Bronsted acid sites utmost importance catalytic activity. Thanks introduction mesopores zeolite crystals creating superior was obtained with multifold activity increase, without compromising selectivity, capable competing against state-of-the-art zeolite.