Process for the preparation of highly esterified alkoxylated polyol compositions

A process for producing a highly esterified alkoxylated polyol composition comprising contacting a C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 aliphatic epoxide, an alkali metal salt of an aliphatic polyalcohol having 3 hydroxy groups, and a triglyceride at a temperature of from 50.degree. C. to 200.degree. C. for a time effective to accomplish ring-opening of the C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 aliphatic epoxide and formation of fatty acid-esterified oxyalkylene groups, wherein the molar ratio of C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 aliphatic epoxide:(triglyceride+aliphatic polyalcohol) is from 3:1 to 20:1 and the molar ratio of triglyceride:aliphatic polyalcohol is at least 19:1 and less than 200:1.

A process for producing a highly esterified alkoxylated polyol composition comprising contacting an epoxide selected from ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, 1,2-butylene oxide, or a mixture thereof, a potassium salt of an aliphatic polyalcohol selected from glycerin, monoglycerides, diglycerides, and alkoxylated glycerins having number average molecular weights of from 133 to 500, and a triglyceride at a temperature of from 80.degree. C. to 150.degree. C. for a time effective to accomplish ring-opening of the epoxide and formation of fatty acid-esterified oxyalkylene groups, wherein the molar ratio of epoxide:(triglyceride+aliphatic polyalcohol) is from 3:1 to 20:1, the molar ratio of triglyceride:aliphatic polyalcohol is at least 19:1 and less than 200:1, and the potassium is present at a concentration of from 1000 to 5000 parts per million based on the combined weight of epoxide, the potassium salt of the aliphatic polyalcohol, and the triglyceride.