Production of hydrogenated methyl esters of palm kernel and sunflower oils by employing rhodium and ruthenium catalytic complexes of hydrolysis stable monodentate sulfonated triphenylphosphite ligands

•Hydrogenation of methyl esters of palm kernel and sunflower oils.•Rh and Ru sulfonated triphenylphosphite complexes.•Superior selectivities compared to triphenylphosphite or triphenylphosphine complexes.•Recovery of metal sulfonated triphenylphosphite catalysts by means of a membrane.•Reactions related to the manufacture of surfactants and foodstuffs with zero amounts of trans-fats.