Abstract: Chemically-modified fatty acids prepared by reacting epoxidized fatty acids, their esters or triglyceride oils with borate compounds. The fatty acid derivatives produced are of the formula: wherein R is an H, branched or straight chain alkyl or alkenyl group, aromatic-containing group, glycerol, or glyceride, R? is a C3 to C29 aliphatic chain comprising one or more of the derivatized methylene groups of the formula: wherein m, n, and p are independently selected from 0 and 1; X is selected from O, NH, C(O)O, S, —C?N, —N?C?O, —N?C; and a borate of the formula: and R1 is selected from aryl, and straight, branched, cyclic or heterocyclic hydrocarbons or substituted hydrocarbons. These fatty acid derivatives have utility as antiwear/antifriction additives for industrial oils, fuels, and automotive applications.

Abstract: Fatty acid ester derivatives and a process for their production from unsaturated fatty acids are disclosed. The process comprises: a) reacting an unsaturated fatty acid or an ester thereof having one or more sites of unsaturation, with an epoxidation reagent to form a fatty acid epoxide wherein at least one of the sites of unsaturation of the fatty acid or fatty acid ester is converted to an oxirane ring; and b) reacting the fatty acid epoxide produced in a) with a carboxylic acid to form a hydroxy fatty acid ester derivative wherein the oxirane ring is opened and converted to a hydroxy ester comprising a hydroxyl group at one carbon of the opened oxirane ring and an ester of the carboxylic acid at the other carbon of the opened oxirane ring.

Abstract: Chemically-modified fatty acids prepared by reacting epoxidized fatty acids, their esters or triglyceride oils with borate compounds. The fatty acid derivatives produced are of the formula: wherein R is an H, branched or straight chain alkyl or alkenyl group, aromatic-containing group, glycerol, or glyceride, R? is a C3 to C29 aliphatic chain comprising one or more of the derivatized methylene groups of the formula: wherein m, n, and p are independently selected from 0 and 1; X is selected from O, NH, C(O)O, S, —C?N, —N?C?O, —N?C; and a borate of the formula: and R1 is selected from aryl, and straight, branched, cyclic or heterocyclic hydrocarbons or substituted hydrocarbons. These fatty acid derivatives have utility as antiwear/antifriction additives for industrial oils, fuels, and automotive applications.

Abstract: Biopolymeric hydrogel precursors are prepared by means of a ring-opening polymerization of epoxidized vegetable oils, followed by chemical hydrolysis. The recovered hydrogels having properties similar to Pluronic® type surfactants would have a plurality of end-use applications, including use as food additives and pharmaceutical ingredients. This invention provides the potential for an enhanced market for vegetable oils, and particularly for soybean oil.

Abstract: Fatty acid ester derivatives and a process for their production from unsaturated fatty acids are disclosed. The process comprises: a) reacting an unsaturated fatty acid or an ester thereof having one or more sites of unsaturation, with an epoxidation reagent to form a fatty acid epoxide wherein at least one of the sites of unsaturation of the fatty acid or fatty acid ester is converted to an oxirane ring; and b) reacting the fatty acid epoxide produced in a) with a carboxylic acid to form a hydroxy fatty acid ester derivative wherein the oxirane ring is opened and converted to a hydroxy ester comprising a hydroxyl group at one carbon of the opened oxirane ring and an ester of the carboxylic acid at the other carbon of the opened oxirane ring.

Abstract: A novel class of chemically-modified vegetable oils is prepared by reacting epoxidized triglyceride oils with thiols. The resultant poly(hydroxy thioether) derivatives have utility as antiwear/antifriction additives for environmentally-friendly industrial oils and automotive applications.

Abstract: An edible adhesive is made by cross-linking a sugar with a polyfunctional acid. The adhesive has the property of binding two articles together for a limited period of time and then controllably releasing the adhesive bond between the articles when in contact with a liquid, such as a liquid beverage.

Abstract: Triglyceride oils having unsaturated fatty acid substituents are modified to convert sites of unsaturation to C-2 to C-10 diesters. The resulting derivatives are characterized by thermal and oxidative stability, have low temperature performance properties and are environmentally-friendly. They have utility as hydraulic fluids, lubricants, metal working fluids and other industrial fluids. The triglyceride oils are most easily prepared via epoxidized vegetable oils which are converted to the diesters in either a one- or two-step reaction.

Abstract: Composite formulations useful in the production of objects by the solid freeform fabrication method comprise (A) an epoxidized drying oil (primary resin); (B) a curing agent; (C) a fibrous filler; (D) a thixotropic agent and optionally (E) a secondary resin. These composites are characterized by unique physical properties including enhanced biodegradability.

Abstract: Sheet-fed and heat-set web offset ink vehicles, which do not require any volatile organic compounds, are prepared by blending: (I) as the major component, a petroleum resin, an alkyd resin or a heat bodied oil; (II) a non-bodied vegetable oil; and (III) one or more fatty acid esters. Inks prepared from these vehicles are quick drying and meet or exceed industry standards in regard to ruboff resistance, viscosity, and tackiness.

Abstract: Printing inks, which do not require any petroleum-derived component, are prepared from vegetable oils by heat bodying the oils to within a specified viscosity range. The process is easily tailored to give products having viscosity, tackiness, ruboff resistance, and color density properties which meet or exceed industry standards. The inherent light coloration of the vehicles permits formulation into colored inks having substantially reduced pigment levels.

Abstract: Triglyceride oils having unsaturated fatty acid substituents are modified to convert sites of unsaturation to C-2 to C-10 diesters. The resulting derivatives are characterized by thermal and oxidative stability, have low temperature performance properties and are environmentally-friendly. They have utility as hydraulic fluids, lubricants, metal working fluids and other industrial fluids. The triglyceride oils are most easily prepared via epoxidized vegetable oils which are converted to the diesters in either a one- or two-step reaction.