Patent ID: 8748641

Claim:
A process for preparing saturated branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof comprising subjecting unsaturated fatty acids having 10 to 25 carbon atoms, alkyl esters thereof or mixtures thereof to a skeletal isomerization reaction in the presence of water or a lower alcohol at a temperature of about 240° C. to about 280° C. using a combination of a sterically hindered Lewis base and zeolite as a Brönsted or Lewis acid catalyst, and isolating saturated branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof or mixtures thereof from the reaction mixture obtained by the skeletal isomerization reaction; wherein the yield of said saturated branched chain fatty acids is ≧70 wt %; wherein said sterically hindered Lewis base is a tertiary amine or phosphine with linear or branched C1 to C8 alkyl or phenyl groups attached thereto.