Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2025

Light-driven Enzymatic Decarboxylation
Published on: May 22, 2016
Photocatalytic Hydrodecarboxylation of Fatty Acids for Drop-in Biofuels Production
Jhudson G L de Araujo1, Maria do S B da Silva1, Júlia C C V Bento1
1Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Avenida Sen. Salgado Filho s/n, 59072-970, Natal, RN, Brazil.
Abstract:
A mild, practical, and environmentally friendly method for the hydrodecarboxylation of fatty acids using an acridine-based photoredox catalyst and thiophenol was developed. Cn-1 alkanes were synthesized in good to excellent yields (up to 99 %) from C10-C18 saturated fatty acids under visible light irradiation (405 nm). The developed protocol was employed for a mixture of fatty acids obtained from the hydrolysis of Licuri oil, affording a mixture of C9-C17 hydrocarbons in quantitative yield, which demonstrates the potential application of the method to produce drop-in biofuels.
More Related Videos
11:28Biomass Conversion to Produce Hydrocarbon Liquid Fuel Via Hot-vapor Filtered Fast Pyrolysis and Catalytic Hydrotreating
Published on: December 25, 2016
11:33Laboratory Production of Biofuels and Biochemicals from a Rapeseed Oil through Catalytic Cracking Conversion
Published on: September 2, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Esters to Carboxylic Acids: Acid-Catalyzed Hydrolysis
During hydrolysis, the ester is first activated towards nucleophilic attack through the protonation of the carboxyl oxygen atom by the acid catalyst. The protonation makes the ester carbonyl carbon more electrophilic. In the next step, water acts as a nucleophile and adds to the...
Lipid Catabolism
Loss of Carboxy Group as CO2: Decarboxylation of β-Ketoacids
Fates of Pyruvate
In aerobic organisms, pyruvate is metabolized via the citric acid cycle to produce reduced coenzymes NADH and FADH2. These coenzymes are then oxidized in the electron transport chain to produce ATP and, in the process, regenerate the NAD+ and FAD. As seen in some cell types and organisms, fermentation...
Overview of Fatty Acid Metabolism
Fatty acids are catabolized in a process called beta-oxidation, which takes place in the matrix of the mitochondria and converts their fatty acid chains into two-carbon units of acetyl groups. The acetyl...
Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the...