Process for the preparation of highly esterified alkoxylated polyol compositions

Reference Number: N 04-04

Inventors: Cooper, Charles F.; Sekula, Bernard C.; Harper, Stephen D.

Owner: NISTAC

USPTO Link: 5304665

Invention Summary

This invention provides a process for preparing a highly esterified alkoxylated polyo, composition having a ratio of ##EQU1## (also referred to as "degree of esterification") greater than 0.90, more preferably, greater than 0.95. An epolide, presence of a catalytic amount of polyalcohol are reacted in the nd for a time and at a an alkali metal or alkaline earth compound temperature effective to accomplish ring-opening of the epoxide and formation of a partially esterified alkoxylated polyol composition. The molar ratio of epoxide to the combined amount of triglyceride and aliphatic polyalcohol is at least 1:1 to 64:1. The molar ratio of triglyceride: aliphatic polyalcohol is at least 1:3/m wherein m is the number of hydroxy groups in the aliphatic polyalcohol and is an integer of from 2 to 8.

The partially esterified alkoxylated polyol composition is contacted with a fatty acid for a time and at a temperature effective to provide the highly esterified alkoxylated polyol composition. The number of moles of fatty acid is at least equal to the number of moles of hydroxy groups in the partially esterified alkoxylated polyol composition.

The method of the present invention represents a vastly streamlined route to highly esterified alkoxylated polyol fat substitute and offers a number of advantages as compared to previously known methods, including, for example, minimization of the total amount of free fatty acid required. The quantity of triglyceride which must be hydrolytically split in an initial step is thereby reduced. The level of residual acidity present in the final product which is not removable by conventional oil processing techniques also quite unexpectedly tends to be reduced from the levels observed when a non-esterified alkoxylated polyol is reacted with excess fatty acid. A smaller total volume of fatty acid is lost overhead during operation of the process of this invention; raw material, waste disposal, and recycle costs are thereby significantly diminished.