Abstract
In order to develop a useful application of α-olefins, investigation was undertaken to synthesize branched fatty acids by the reaction with water and carbon monoxide generated in situ using sulfuric acid and formic acid with a view to employing these branched acid for solvent extraction of metal.
The highest yield of the branched acid was obtained when 1mol of α-olefin was reacted with 12mol of sulfuric acid and 2mol of formic acid (85%) at 25°C. for 2h.
The solvent extraction of metal such as Cu, Pb, Cd and Zn was conducted using the branched acids derived from 1-hexene, 1-octene, and 1-decene. Experimental results showed that these branched acids exhibited excellent extractability superior to those of straight chain fatty acids such as capric acid.
