Stereoselective Hydrogenation of Model Compounds and Preparation of Tailor-Made Glycerides With Chromium Tricarbonyl Complexes

Stu~1ies on ,the mechanism of stereoselectivity of chromIUm tncarbonyl catalysts -with model com~ounds provided the basis for the preparation of sImulated fats. These synthetic fats were prepared by .taking advantage of the unique property of chromIUm carbonyl complexes to catalyze hydrogenation of polyunsaturates to cis-~onoui.I­ saturates. Oils simulating the composition of peanut oil were produced bv hvdroO'enatino' sovbean oil stereoselectively to' an' IV ~f 94. Sim~l­ lated olive oil was made the same way from either soybean or safflower oil hydrogenated to an IV of 82-84. Stereoselective 1,4-reduction of eleostearate in tung oil produced oils that had a hio'h proportion of linoleate and that simulated s:fflower oil. The oleo-disaturated olYceride structure .of cocoa butter was also'" ~imulated by selectively hydrogenating linoleate in cottonseed oil stearines and in fractionated hiO'h-palmitate steal:ines. Dilatometric and chro~atographic studIes showed that the cis-monoene-disaturated glyceride is the major component (60-70%) in the synthetic cocoa butter.