Abstract: Provided herein are compositions containing at least one estolide compound and at least one ene and/or Diels Alder compound. In certain embodiments, the addition of at least one ene and/or Diels Alder compound to an estolide-containing composition may improve the cold temperature, viscometric, and/or anti-wear properties of the composition.

Abstract: Provided herein are processes for preparing estolides and estolide base oils from fatty acid reactants utilizing catalysts. Further provided herein are processes for preparing carboxylic esters from at least one carboxylic acid reactant and at least one olefin.

Abstract: Estolide compounds that may be suitable for use in personal care and cosmetic formulations, and method of preparing the same. The estolides can be tailored to exhibit the desired viscometric and lubricity properties, while retaining or even improving other properties desirable in such products.

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds, including those of the Formula II in which n is an integer equal to or greater than 1; R2, is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; and R3, and R4, independently for each occurrence, are selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched. Also provided are compositions containing such compounds and methods of making both compounds and compositions thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions containing at least one estolide compound and at least one ene and/or Diels Alder compound. In certain embodiments, the addition of at least one ene and/or Diels Alder compound to an estolide-containing composition may improve the cold temperature, viscometric, and/or anti-wear properties of the composition.

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds of the formula: in which n is an integer equal to or greater than 1; m is an integer equal to or greater than 1; R2 is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; and R1, R3, and R4, independently for each occurrence, are selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched, wherein at least one of R1, R2, R3, or R4 is sulfurized or epoxidized. Also provided are compositions containing the compounds and methods of making both the compounds and compositions thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein are poly-capped estolides, including those of the Formula IV in which n is an integer equal to or greater than 0; m is an integer equal to or greater than 2; R1 is selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; R2 is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; and R3 and R4, independently for each occurrence, are selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched. Hydroxy estolides are also described herein, which may be suitable end products, or serve as intermediates to provide poly-capped estolides. Also provided are compositions containing poly-capped estolides and methods of making both said poly-capped estolides and compositions thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for heating substances in a microwave oven. A container structure includes an internal chamber configured to have heating contents placed therein, wherein the chamber is defined at least partially by a thermally-conductive structure. A microwave-absorbing medium is disposed in direct or indirect thermal communication with at least a portion of the thermally-conductive structure. A microwave radiation barrier is disposed between at least a portion of the microwave-absorbing medium and the internal chamber. In certain embodiments, when the container is exposed to external microwave radiation, the internal chamber is substantially shielded from the microwave radiation.

Abstract: Provided herein are processes for preparing estolides and estolide base oils from fatty acid reactants utilizing catalysts. Further provided herein are processes for preparing carboxylic esters from at least one carboxylic acid reactant and at least one olefin.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions comprising at least one estolide compound of formula: in which n is an integer equal to or greater than 0; m is an integer equal to or greater than 1; R1, independently for each occurrence, is selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; R2 is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; and R3 and R4, independently for each occurrence, are selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched. Also provided are uses of the compositions described herein.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions containing at least one estolide compound and at least one ene and/or Diels Alder compound. In certain embodiments, the addition of at least one ene and/or Diels Alder compound to an estolide-containing composition may improve the cold temperature, viscometric, and/or anti-wear properties of the composition.

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds, including those of the Formula II in which n is an integer equal to or greater than 1; R2, is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; and R3, and R4, independently for each occurrence, are selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched. Also provided are compositions containing such compounds and methods of making both compounds and compositions thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein are processes for preparing estolides and estolide base oils from fatty acid reactants utilizing catalysts. Further provided herein are processes for preparing carboxylic esters from at least one carboxylic acid reactant and at least one olefin.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions comprising at least one estolide compound of formula: in which n is an integer equal to or greater than 0; m is an integer equal to or greater than 1; R1, independently for each occurrence, is selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; R2 is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; and R3 and R4, independently for each occurrence, are selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched. Also provided are uses of the compositions described herein.

Abstract: Provided herein are estolide base oils and oligomeric compounds prepared from processes that include cross metathesis.

Abstract: Provided herein are dielectric fluids comprising at least one estolide compound of formula: in which n is an integer equal to or greater than 0; m is an integer equal to or greater than 1; R1, independently for each occurrence, is selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; R2 is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; and R3 and R4, independently for each occurrence, are selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched. Also provided herein are uses of dielectric fluids and electrical devices such as transformers that comprise a dielectric fluid comprising at least one estolide compound.

Abstract: Provided herein are estolide compositions having high oxidative stability, said compositions comprising at least one compound of formula: in which n is an integer equal to or greater than 0; m is an integer equal to or greater than 1; R1, independently for each occurrence, is selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; R2 is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; and R3 and R4, independently for each occurrence, are selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched. Also provided herein are uses for the compositions and methods of preparing the same.

Abstract: Provided herein are processes of producing estolide base oils, including the process comprising providing at least one fatty acid ester, and contacting the at least one fatty acid ester with at least one fatty acid to form an estolide base oil. Exemplary processes include the use of transesterification to form the at least one fatty acid ester and/or estolide base oil.

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds of the formula: in which n is an integer equal to or greater than 1; m is an integer equal to or greater than 1; R2 is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; and R1, R3, and R4, independently for each occurrence, are selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched, wherein at least one of R1, R2, R3, or R4 is sulfurized or epoxidized. Also provided are compositions containing the compounds and methods of making both the compounds and compositions thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein are estolide base oils and oligomeric compounds prepared from processes that include cross metathesis.