Kinetic peculiarities of cis and trans methyl oleate formation in the course of methyl linoleate hydrogenation over Pd/MgO were, studied. Liquid phase hydrogenation was carried out in temperature range of 303-323 K and under hydrogen pressure within 1-10 bar. Gas-liquid chromatography, IR and C-13 NMR techniques were employed to characterize the reaction products. Effects of hydrogen pressure. and re-action temperature on cis and trans methyl oleate. formation were studied. The General kinetic scheme and reaction mechanism of methyl linoleate hydrogenation and cis-trans methyl oleate isomerization have been proposed. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.