Method of preparing an alkaline earth metal tallate

A double displacement method for preparing an alkaline earth metal tallate dispersion of enhanced stability comprising the steps of (i) forming a pre-emulsion of tall oil fatty acids, water, and surfactant having the formula:

• RO›(AO).sub.n -R.sup.o !.sub.m
• wherein R is selected from the group consisting of (a) linear and branched alkyl and alkenyl groups having about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms;
• (b) R.sup.1 CO-- wherein R.sup.1 is a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having about 7 to about 24 carbon atoms;
• (c) (R.sup.2).sub.a C.sub.6 H.sub.(5-a) -- wherein R.sup.2 is a linear or branched alkyl and alkenyl group having about 7 to 24 carbon atoms and "a" is 0 or 1;
• (d) a group derived from a linear, branched, and cyclic aliphatic polyol having from about 2 to 14 carbon atoms;
• and (e) a group derived from a linear, branched, and cyclic aliphatic diacid having about 8 to 20 carbon atoms;
• AO is an oxyalkylene group having 2 to about 4 carbon atoms or a mixture of such groups in random or block configuration;
• R.sup.o is selected from the group consisting of H, R.sup.1 and R.sup.1 CO;
• n is a number from about 5 to about 150;
• and m is an integer from about 1 to 6;
• (ii) separately forming an alkaline earth metal salt dispersion from an organic acid having a pKa of from about 2 to about 6, an alkaline earth metal compound selected from the group consisting of oxides, hydroxides, and mixtures thereof, and water, the alkaline earth metal compound present in an amount at least about 25% above the stoichiometric amount required to neutralize the acid;
• and (iii) incorporating the pre-emulsion into the alkaline earth metal salt dispersion under conditions of high shear and low pressure.