Abstract
The methanolysis of n-butyric, lauric and myristic acids was found to be accelerated by monotonous compression and points of maxima were noted for the yields of methyl palmitate and methyl stearate. Effects at 0.4MPa to 200MPa were essentially the same for all fatty acids, though differed considerably for palmitic and stearic acids at higher pressures. In the case of palmitic and stearic acids, pressure corresponding to maximum yield was higher for lower acid concentrations. For mixed saturated fatty acids at 1200MPa and 70°C, methyl laurate was obtained in 66% yield while that of methyl stearate was only 1%.
