The activity and selectivity of palladium, copper, platinum, and nickel catalysts in the decarbon ylation of stearic acid into hydrocarbons were studied at a 14 atm hydrogen pressure and temperatures of 300-350°C. If γ alumina was used as a carrier, the catalysts formed the series Pd > Cu > Pt > Ni according to desired product yields. Quantum chemical simulation was performed to show that the free energy of acti vation increased in the same series. The same metals deposited on mixed tungsten and zirconium oxides cat alyzed decarbonylation with a low yield of C 17 hydrocarbons, likely because such a superacidic carrier could catalyse cracking of olefins or their oligomers formed.