Castor oil catalytic hydrogenation reaction monitored by Raman spectroscopy

In order to compare the behavior and physical chemistry properties of metal lic catalysts supported on zeolites and their influence on the hydrogenatio n of castor oil, catalysts with different nickel contents supported on NaY zeolites were prepared and characterized. The NiNaY catalysts were compared with commercial Ni-Raney. Results indicate that the catalysts supported on zeolite with a nickel content of 5.0 wt,% were more effective than Ni-Rane y catalyst in the hydrogenation of castor oil. In this work, we used Raman spectroscopy as an alternative method to determine the degree of hydrogenat ion. The results indicate that the Raman spectroscopy is faster than the co nventional Wijs chemical method, more economical, and has an equivalent deg ree of precision regarding the iodide index. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V, All rights reserved.