Oxidative decarboxylation of unsaturated fatty acids

There is an increasing demand for fuels and chemicals based on renewable resources. Olefins and hydrocarbons obtained by decarboxylation of fatty acids are expected to have superior fuel properties and are interesting starting compounds for further chemical modification. In relation to our quest for mild methods for catalytic decarboxylation of fatty acids and their derivatives, we would like to present results on the silver/copper mediated decarboxylation of unsaturated fatty acids with sodium persulfate to give internal olefins. The products provide good starting materials for e.g. ethenolysis to linear alpha-olefins. Since the availability of seed oils for biofuels production is limited, we are evaluating the potential of fast growing microalgae as a source for fatty acids