Process for producing an esterified alkoxylated polyol

Reference Number: N 04-04

Inventors: Handwerker, Beth M.; Cooper, Charles F.; Sekula, Bernard C.

Owner: NISTAC

USPTO Link: 5362894

Invention Summary

This invention provides a process for the preparation of a fatty acid-esterified alkoxylated polyol, wherein said process comprises reacting a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl ester of a C.sub.8 -C.sub.24 fatty acid with a short chain acid-esterified alkoxylated polyol in the presence of a basic catalyst in a reaction zone at a temperature effective to simultaneously form the fatty acid-esterified alkoxylated polyol and a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl ester of a short chain acid. The latter product is removed from the reaction zone during said reacting.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the process of this invention comprises reacting a methyl or ethyl ester of a C.sub.8 -C.sub.24 fatty acid with an acetic acid-esterified alkoxylated polyol, said acetic acid-esterified alkoxylated polyol being obtainable by alkoxylation of a polyol having from 3 to 8 hydroxyl groups selected from C.sub.3 -C.sub.12 aliphatic triols, C.sub.4 -C.sub.12 aliphatic tetrols, C.sub.5 -C.sub.8 sugar alcohols, monosaccharides, disaccharides, alkyl glycosides, and glycerol oligomers with an epoxide selected from ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, or 1,2-butene oxide to form an alkoxylated polyol and esterification of the alkoxylated polyol with acetic acid or an equivalent thereof, in the presence of from 0.5 to 2.5 weight percent of a sodium or potassium alkoxide catalyst in a reaction zone at a temperature of from 70.degree. to 160.degree. C. to simultaneously form the fatty acid-esterified alkoxylated polyol and a methyl or ethyl ester of acetic acid, the latter product being continuously removed in vapor form from the reaction zone by distillative means during said reacting.

Additionally, this invention furnishes an integrated process for synthesizing fatty acid esterified alkoxylated polyols from fatty acid triglycerides.