Oxidative Cleavage of Long-Chain Terminal Alkenes to Carboxylic Acids

Oxidation of aliphatic terminal alkenes having more than 30 carbon atoms to carboxylic acids is presented. Such long carboxylic acids are useful as waxes, lubricants, plasticizers, etc. The oxidation was conducted under solvent-free conditions or with small amounts of diluents (heptane, methylcyclohexane, and tert-butylbenzene). Hydrogen peroxide was used as the oxidant, and tungstic acid was used as the catalyst. Halogen-free quaternary ammonium salts were used as phase-transfer catalysts, and the importance of the elimination of halide ions is discussed. Purification of the crude oxidized product and tungsten removal are also presented. The products have a maximum acid number of 75 mg of KOH/g, a saponification number of 100 mg of KOH/g, and tungsten content below 400 ppm.