Methods for the preparation of propylene glycol fatty acid esters

Abstract

A process of producing a light-colored, high-monoester mixture from a polyol and an oil is provided wherein the process eliminates the use of organic solvents, multiple water washings and/or molecular distillation. The reactants, a polyol and an oil, described herein, condense in the presence of a catalyst, described herein, at a temperature range from about 180° C. to about 280° C. under an inert atmosphere or the vapor pressure of the polyol with a pressure of about 0 to about 500 psig to yield a monoester mixture possessing a desirable monoester composition and color. The present process yields a final product similar to that of processes which require the use of solvents, multiple water washings and/or molecular distillation.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.