Acid-catalyzed cracking reactions of model compounds, palmitic acid and oleic acid, using trifluoromethanesulfonic acid were investigated to determine the extent of products from a Bronsted superacid. No reaction was found with the saturated palmitic acid at neither 25 degrees C nor 100 degrees C. However, oleic acid, an unsaturated acid, reacted at 0 degrees C forming linear and branched saturated fatty acids that were of smaller molecular weight than the starting material. These results suggest the potential of using lipids and fatty acids as feedstocks for the manufacture of transportation fuels. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.