Oleyl alcohol from animal fats by catalytic reduction

Catalysts effective in the selective reduction of methyl oleate or oleic acid to oleyl alcohol at 350 C and 3000 psi were Cr−Zn, Zn−Cd−Cu, Cr−Zn−Cd, Cr−Zn−Cd−Al and Zn−Cd−Al combinations. By-products were hydrocarbons, ethers and an unchromatographable still residue.