The rhodium catalysed hydroaminomethylation of the unsaturated fatty acid derivatives oleic acid ethyl ester (1) and oleyl alcohol (2) with the primary amines hexylamine (3), benzylamine (4), aspartic acid diethyl ester (5) and valinol (6), and with the secondary amine morpholine (7), respectively, proceeds with good to excellent yields. Using primary amines the structure of the reaction products depends on the stoichiometry of the reactants. Performing the reaction of (1) with (3) with an excess of the amine compound the corresponding secondary amine (9) (1:1-adduct) was observed. Working with a 2-fold excess of (1) the tertiary amine (16) (2:1-adduct) was the main product.

Transition-metal trifluoromethane-sulphonatesrecyclable catalysts for the synthesis of branched fatty derivatives by Diels-Alder reactions at unsaturated fatty esters Diels-Alder reactions of conjugated linoleic acid ethyl ester (1) with different quinones and with a variety of α/β-unsaturated aldehydes and ketones are described in this paper. Using Sc(OTf) 3 or Cu(OTf) 2 as catalysts the reactions can be carried out at 25-40°C with good yields. For the first time in oleochemistry it is possible to prepare Diels-Alder cycloadditions with catalyst concentrations of 10 mol-% instead of stoichiometric amounts of Lewis acids. Furthermore, the reaction time was partly shortened drastically. The catalyst Sc(OTf) 3 can be removed by a simple extraction of the organic layer with water. After evaporation of the aqueous phase to dryness the catalyst can be reused without loss of yield.

The SnCl4 catalysed reaction of oleic acid ethyl ester (1) with glyoxylic acid ethyl ester (2) or mesoxalic acid diethyl ester (5) proceeds with good results yielding the corresponding 1:1‐adducts. Besides the ene adducts also δ‐lactones are formed by the reaction of (1) with (5). The product yield shows a strong dependency on type and quantity of the Lewis‐acid used. A maximum yield was obtained with a stoichiometric amount of SnCl4. In contrast to the thermal ene reaction about 75% of the yield was attained already during the first 30 min of the reaction.

The rhodium catalysed hydroaminomethylation of the unsaturated fatty acid derivatives oleic acid ethyl ester (1) and oleyl alcohol (2) with the primary amines hexylamine (3), benzylamine (4), aspartic acid diethyl ester (5) and valinol (6), and with the secondary amine morpholine (7), respectively, proceeds with good to excellent yields. Using primary amines the structure of the reaction products depends on the stoichiometry of the reactants. Performing the reaction of (1) with (3) with an excess of the amine compound the corresponding secondary amine (9) (1:1-adduct) was observed. Working with a 2-fold excess of (1) the tertiary amine (16) (2:1-adduct) was the main product.

Diels‐Alder reactions of conjugated linoleic acid ethyl ester (1) with different quinones and with a variety of α/βunsaturated aldehydes and ketones are described in this paper. Using Sc(OTf)3 or Cu(OTf)2 as catalysts the reactions can be carried out at 25—40 °C with good yields. For the first time in oleochemistry it is possible to prepare Diels‐Alder cycloadditions with catalyst concentrations of 10 mol‐% instead of stoichiometric amounts of Lewis acids. Furthermore, the reaction time was partly shortened drastically. The catalyst Sc(OTf)3 can be removed by a simple extraction of the organic layer with water. After evaporation of the aqueous phase to dryness the catalyst can be reused without loss of yield.