| abstract |
A process for the conjugation of the double bonds of polyunsaturated fatty acids or mixtures of fatty acids containing polyunsaturated fatty acids comprising treating said fatty acids with SO2 in the presence of substoichiometric amounts of soap-forming bases in a closed reaction vessel or in a reaction vessel equipped with a reflux condenser, at a temperature range of from 170 DEG C. to 260 DEG C.; particularly wherein the process is performed in the presence of from 0.5 to 25 mol % of SO2, 0.5 to 25 mol % of soap-forming alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal compounds, and 0.05 to 2% by weight, based on the fatty acid starting material, of water. |