Direct hydrogenation of natural oils to fatty alcohols enabled by an alcoholysis/hydrogenation relay strategy and two-phase solvent system

Abstract

Direct hydrogenation of natural oils to fatty alcohols was achieved via a relay strategy involving alcoholysis of natural oils followed by hydrogenation of fatty acid esters. A two-phase system was used to avoid catalyst poisoning by glycerol. This protocol is suitable for plant oils, animal fats and waste cooking oil.