Catalytic Activity of Smectites on Dimerization of Oleic Acid
A series of dimerization experiments were conducted to investigate the relationship between dimerization yield and crystallochemical composition of five smectite minerals used as catalysts. Effect of interlayer cations and acid treatement of one montmorillonite was also investigated. The maximum dimer yield was obtained with magnesium as interlayered cation. Aluminium and calcium varieties yielded lower amounts of dimers. Addition of sodium carbonate (natrification) was detrimental to dimer production. Dimer recovery was increased by the use of montmorillonite partially decomposed by hydrochloric acid. Variations in the crystallochemical composition of smectites had little effect on the amount of dimer produced. High iron content in the catalyst lowered the quality of the dimerization products.