In this work, it was investigated the conversion of fatty acids into hydrocarbon based on the reaction with NaOH followed by a controlled thermal decomposition. FTIR, Raman, UV-vis, XRD,TG-MS, SEM/TEM, CHN, GC-MS showed that precursors based on NaOH/oleic acid (molar ratios 0.7, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0) decomposed at 550 degrees C to produce three fractions, i.e. liquid (5-37 wt%), gas (52-70 wt%) and solid (10-31 wt%). The liquid fraction was composed of a complex mixture containing mainly aromatic compounds. On the other hand, the major gas fraction showed a remarkable selectivity for propane (56-61 wt%) with some C-1, C-2, C-4, H-2 and COx. The solid fraction showed the presence of Na2CO3, Na2O and particles of amorphous and graphene like carbon. Upon treatment at 800 degrees C the carbonate decomposes to CO2, oxidizes the carbon and regenerated the Na2O which can potentially be used for a new reaction cycle. These results are preliminary discussed in terms of a catalytic effect of the basic sodium oxide to promote cracking, dehydrogenation and H-transfer reactions. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.