Abstract: A method of preparing an ester by reacting a carboxylic acid with a (C1-C36)alcohol in the presence of a catalyst that is suitable for preparing carboxylic acid esters of monomeric carboxylic acids in high yield. The method reduces by-products of the reaction, in particular esters of dimeric, trimeric and/or oligomeric carboxylic acids. The method requires a minimal excess of alcohol and does not require removal of water and/or carboxylic acid ester from the reaction mixture. The method is particularly suitable for the reaction of hydroxyalkylcarboxylic acids and fatty alcohols.

Abstract: A method of preparing an ester by reacting a carboxylic acid with a (C1-C36)alcohol in the presence of a catalyst that is suitable for preparing carboxylic acid esters of monomeric carboxylic acids in high yield. The method reduces by-products of the reaction, in particular esters of dimeric, trimeric and/or oligomeric carboxylic acids. The method requires a minimal excess of alcohol and does not require removal of water and/or carboxylic acid ester from the reaction mixture. The method is particularly suitable for the reaction of hydroxyalkylcarboxylic acids and fatty alcohols.

Abstract: A process for making technical oleic acid methyl esters having a stearic acid methyl ester content of less than about 2% by weight, and a palmitic acid methyl ester content of less than about 5%, comprising: (a) providing a C8-18 palm kernel oil fatty acid methyl ester; (b) fractionally distilling said C8-18 palm kernel oil fatty acid methyl ester to form a C8-14 head product and a C16-18 bottom product; (c) fractionally distilling the C16-18 bottom product to form a short-chain C16 head product and a long-chain and unsaturated C18 bottom product; (d) fractionally distilling the long-chain and unsaturated C18 bottom product to form a predominantly unsaturated head product having a high palmitic acid methyl ester content and a predominantly unsaturated bottom product have a minimal palmitic acid methyl ester content; and (e) fractionally distilling the predominantly unsaturated bottom product have a minimal palmitic acid methyl ester content to form a head product rich in oleic acid methyl ester and poor in st

Abstract: A process for making technical oleic acid methyl esters having a stearic acid methyl ester content of less than about 2% by weight, and a palmitic acid methyl ester content of less than about 5%, comprising: (a) providing a C8-18 palm kernel oil fatty acid methyl ester; (b) fractionally distilling said C8-18 palm kernel oil fatty acid methyl ester to form a C8-14 head product and a C16-18 bottom product; (c) fractionally distilling the C16-18 bottom product to form a short-chain C16 head product and a long-chain and unsaturated C18 bottom product; (d) fractionally distilling the long-chain and unsaturated C18 bottom product to form a predominantly unsaturated head product having a high palmitic acid methyl ester content and a predominantly unsaturated bottom product have a minimal palmitic acid methyl ester content; and (e) fractionally distilling the predominantly unsaturated bottom product have a minimal palmitic acid methyl ester content to form a head product rich in oleic acid methyl ester and poor in st