Abstract: Described herein are xerogels consisting essentially of 12-hydroxy-stearic acid (12-HSA) wherein the xerogel is characterized by a spherulitic fibrillar network structure. Also provided is a method for adsorbing an apolar liquid by contacting a 12-HSA xerogel composition with the apolar liquid.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a polyoxyalkylene ester composition comprising the reaction product of a polyoxyalkylated alcohol or polyol reactant and an acyl donor wherein the ester has greater than about 85 weight percent of a fully acylated polyoxyalkylene ester, less than about 15 percent of a partially acylated polyoxyalkylene ester, less than about 5 parts per million 1,4-dioxane and an acid number of less than about 20. Another aspect of the invention is a process for making the polyoxyalkylene ester composition that includes the steps of contacting a reaction mixture of an polyoxyalkylated alcohol or polyol reactant and an acyl donor reactant in a reactor and in the presence of an enzymatic catalyst under esterification conditions and recovering the polyoxyalkylene ester.

Abstract: An ester compound is represented by the following formula (1). In the formula: R1 and R2 each independently represent an alkyl group having 5 to 18 carbon atoms; R3n represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having at most 5 carbon atoms; R4n represents hydrogen or CH2OR5n; R5n represents an alkyl group having 5 to 18 carbon atoms; and n represents an integer of 1 to 3.

Abstract: A water-soluble metalworking oil agent is provided by blending the following components A, B, C and D: (A) at least one of a condensed fatty acid obtained by dehydration-condensing a ricinoleic acid, and a condensed fatty acid obtained by dehydration-condensing a monovalent carboxylic acid with an alcoholic hydroxyl group of a condensed fatty acid obtained by dehydration-condensing a ricinoleic acid; (B) an ester compound provided by a dehydration condensate of a monovalent or multivalent alcohol and a monovalent carboxylic acid; (C) an amine compound; and (D) water. A blend ratio of the component A is 10 mass % or more of a total amount of the oil agent and a blend ratio of the component B is 5 mass % or more of the total amount of the oil agent.

Abstract: A substantially pure Candida host cell is provided for the biotransformation of a substrate to a product wherein the host cell is characterized by a first genetic modification class that comprises one or more genetic modifications that collectively or individually disrupt at least one alcohol dehydrogenase gene in the substantially pure Candida host cell.

Abstract: A process can prepare a compound having the formula wherein R1, R2 and R3 are independently selected from hydrogen and acyl groups, wherein at least one of R1, R2 and R3 is a branched chain long acyl group including 2, 4 or 6 branched acyl groups wherein at least one of R1, R2 and R3 is selected from short acyl groups of the formula wherein q is from 0 to 4.

Abstract: The synthesis of certain medium and long chain ?-hydroxy esters and certain ?-hydroxy fatty acids is disclosed. Such ?-hydroxy esters and ?-hydroxy fatty acids are derived from natural oils, and their corresponding polymers were obtained by melt polycondensation. Additionally, the present effort investigates the effects of structural and molecular parameters on the thermal and mechanical properties of ?-hydroxy ester based polymers. Additionally, the present effort investigates the co-polymerization of ?-hydroxy ester based polymers.

Abstract: Method for improving the feed efficiency in poultry husbandry wherein poultry is provided with a compound directly upon hatching, the compound being selected from a lactylate in accordance with formula 1, or a Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe(II), Zn, NH4, or Cu(II) salt thereof, R2-COO—[—CH(CH3)-COO]n-R1??Formula 1 a glycolylate of formula 2, or a Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe(II), Zn, NH4, or Cu(II) salt thereof. R2-COO—[—CH2-COO]n-R1??Formula 2: a lactate ester of formula 3, HO—CH(CH3)-COO—R2??Formula 3: and/or a glycolic acid ester of formula 4, HO—CH2-COO—R2??Formula 4: In the above formulas R1 is selected from H, n stands for an integer with value of 1-10, and R2 stands for C1-C35 alkyl or alkenyl chain, which may be branched or unbranched. The effective compound provided to poultry is dosed level in a first part of their life-span higher than the dose level in other part of their life span.

Abstract: A working fluid composition for a refrigerating machine of the present invention comprises: a refrigerating machine oil comprising a complex ester as a base oil; and a hydrocarbon refrigerant having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, the complex ester being obtainable by further esterifying, with at least one selected from a monohydric alcohol having 1 to 20 carbon atoms and a fatty acid having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, an ester intermediate obtained by reacting a neopentyl polyol with a dibasic acid, and having an acid value of 0.5 mgKOH/g or less, the refrigerating machine oil having a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 2 to 50 mm2/s.

Abstract: A dielectric fluid composition for electrical apparatus comprises a functionalized 12-hydroxy stearic acid having desirable properties including a pour point less than ?30° C. and a fire point greater than 250° C. It may be prepared by a process wherein 12-hydroxy methyl stearate is transesterified by reaction with a C3-C20 alcohol to form an alkyl-12-hydroxy stearate, followed by esterification thereof with a linear or branched C4-C20 carboxylic acid. This acid may be a free acid chloride, a fatty acid, a carboxylic acid anhydride, or combination thereof. The resulting functionalized 12-hydroxy stearic acid exhibits improved thermoxidative capability, low temperature flowability, and increased fire point.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I) for use in the treatment of a disease of the immune system; wherein R is an optionally-substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl or alkylaryl moiety having from 1 to 50 carbon atoms; R1 is an optionally-substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl or alkylaryl moiety having from 1 to 40 carbon atoms; each of R2, R3 and R4 is independently selected from an optionally-substituted alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, arylene, arylalkylene or alkylarylene moiety having from 1 to 40 carbon atoms; each of X, Y and Z is independently selected from an optionally-substituted alkylene, alkenylene, alkenylene, arylene, alkylarylene, cycloalkylene, ketone, ester, amide, imide, imine, thioether, ether, thioester and thioketone; and P is selected from hydrogen, an alkyl group, a sugar residue, or a metal, phosphonium or ammonium species; wherein at least one of X, Y and Z includes a moiety selected from cyclopropyl, C=A, C-AH and C—OR5; wherein R5 is alkyl or haloalkyl, and A is O,

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a compound having a novel structure for overcoming the defects of conventional steroid agents and NSAIDs. It is found that the particular dihydroxy bodies of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, which have not conventionally been known (11,18-dihydroxy eicosapentaenoic acid (11,18-diHEPE), 17,18-dihydroxy eicosapentaenoic acid (17,18-diHEPE) etc.), have activity of inhibiting neutrophil, thereby solving the object. The present invention unexpectedly remarkably inhibits infiltration into a tissue of, and activation of neutrophil found out at acute inflammation. The compound of the present invention is a compound which has not conventionally been known. Therefore, utility as a new therapeutic is provided.

Abstract: Provided is a lubricity improver capable of improving lubricity and storage stability due to anti-oxidation, the lubricity improver containing a saturated fatty acid methyl ester derivative including at least one 1,2-dimethoxy ethylene structural unit represented by Chemical Formula a below, obtained by converting a double bond (olefin) of biodiesel, which is used as a lubricity improver of fuel, that is, the existing fatty acid methyl ester (FAME), into a dimethoxy group.

Abstract: A dielectric fluid composition for electrical apparatus comprises a functionalized methyl-12-carboxy methyl stearate having desirable properties including a pour point less than ?30° C. and a fire point greater than 250° C. It may be prepared by a process wherein methyl-12-hydroxy methyl stearate is transesterified by reaction with a C3-C20 alcohol to form the hydroxy methyl ester, followed by reaction with a linear or branched C4-C20 carboxylic acid selected from free acid chlorides, fatty acids, carboxylic acid anhydrides, and combinations thereof. The second step serves to end-cap the hydroxyl groups, thereby producing the functionalized methyl-12-carboxy methyl stearate compound that exhibits improved thermoxidative stability and low temperature flowability, as well as increased fire point.

Abstract: The invention features methods for the preparation of naturally occurring trihydroxy polyunsaturated eicosanoids and their structural analogs. The invention further provides new derivatives and analogs of trihydroxy polyunsaturated eicosanoids that can be prepared according to these methods. The invention also provides compositions and methods using trihydroxy polyunsaturated eicosanoid derivatives for the prevention, amelioration and treatment of a variety of diseases or conditions associated with inflammation or inflammatory response, autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, or abnormal cell proliferation or cancer.

Abstract: Castor oil was hydrolysed to castor fatty acids and self condensed to get a ricinoleic acid-based estolide of about 95 acid value. The carboxylic group of the estolide on subsequent esterification with linear or branched chain alcohols and also on acetylation of free hydroxy group yielded castor oil fatty acids based estolide esters and their acetates. All the products were evaluated for total acid number (TAN), viscosity, viscosity index, pour point, flash point, and copper strip corrosion and found to be potential lubricant basestocks.

Abstract: A water-insoluble cutting fluid base oil or grinding fluid base oil for metalworking includes a fatty acid polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether represented by the following formula (I-A), wherein a hydroxyl value of the fatty acid polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether is less than or equal to 2.0 mgKOH/g. R1—CO-(OA)n-OR3??(I-A) (In the formula (I-A), R1 represents a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated monovalent hydrocarbon group having 15 to 21 carbon atoms and R3 represents a linear, branched, or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms. In addition, A represents an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, OA represents alkylene oxide, and n represents 1 to 6 which is an average mole number of added alkylene oxide (AO)).

Abstract: The present invention relates to cosmetic compositions containing polyglycerol partial esters of linear, unsubstituted carboxylic acids and bifunctional carboxylic acids with the provisos that the polyglycerol partial ester comprises an HLB-value from 2 to 10 and that the polyglycerol obtained by hydrolysis or alcoholysis of the polyglycerol partial ester comprises an average degree of polymerization of from 2 to 8 and at least 1% of the polyglycerol comprises cyclic structures. The present invention also relates to the use of aforementioned polyglycerol esters for the production of and use in cosmetic compositions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of preparation of compounds resulting from the reaction of levulinic esters and epoxidized unsaturated fatty acid esters. The compounds are useful as renewable biomass-based plasticizers for a variety of polymers. Mono-, di- and tri-ketal adducts formed in a reaction between alkyl esters of levulinate and epoxidized unsaturated fatty acid esters derived from vegetable oils are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an organic reactive intermediate that contains a combination of epoxy groups, hydroxy groups and unsaturated groups wherein the process can be utilized to control the amounts of each of the functional groups in the final product. The reactive intermediates are prepared from natural triglyceride plant and animal oils containing unsaturation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel compound having biosurfactant activity that is produced by Aureobasidium pullulans L-3-GPY strains (KCCM11200P). The novelty of the structure of the compound having biosurfactant activity was evaluated using spectroscopy, and it was determined that the biosurfactant produced by the strains has excellent surfactant activity. Active ingredients of the biosurfactant may be used for various purposes, for example, for producing a composition for washing and cleaning agents. Furthermore, they can be used in a variety of industrial fields where chemically synthesized surfactants are used such as medicines, foods, cosmetics, onshore and offshore oil decontamination, degradation of oil and fat in treatment tanks, and the like where chemically synthesized surfactants are used.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel compounds having biosurfactant activity that are produced by an Aureobasidium pullulans L-3-GPY strain. The chemical structure of the novel compounds having biosurfactant activity has been analyzed by using a spectrophotometer, and it has been confirmed that the compounds produced by the above strain show excellent surfactant activity. The active ingredient of the biosurfactant according to the present invention can be applied in various fields such as a cleansing and purifying compositions. Further, the active ingredient of the biosurfactant can be used in numerous industrial fields where chemical surfactants have been conventionally used such as medical, foods, cosmetics, purification of oil contaminated land and seawater, milk fat degradation, and the like.

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: An ester compound is represented by the following formula (1). In the formula: R1 and R2 each independently represent an alkyl group having 5 to 18 carbon atoms; R3n represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having at most 5 carbon atoms; R4n represents hydrogen or CH2OR5n; R5n represents an alkyl group having 5 to 18 carbon atoms; and n represents an integer of 1 to 3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modification of the chemical structure of ricinoleic acid, which is present to an extent of 85-90% in castor oil into triacyloxy alkyl ester derivatives. Accordingly, 9,10,12-trihydroxy octadecanoic acid rich fatty acid mixture was prepared from castor oil and converted to their alkyl esters followed by acylation of hydroxy groups to get 9,10,12-triacyloxy octadecanoic acid alkyl ester rich fatty acid alkyl esters mixture. The 9,10,12-triacyloxy octadecanoic acid alkyl esters were purified from the crude product and characterized by 1H NMR studies. The crude products were also evaluated for acid value (A.V.), hydroxyl value (H. V.), iodine value (I. V.), viscosity, viscosity index (V.I.), pour point, flash point and copper strip corrosion and found to be potential base stocks for hydraulic, metal working fluids and other industrial fluids.

Abstract: A process results in oligomerized ester alkoxylate compositions having substantially no unsaturation, which may be useful as lubricants, heat transfer fluids, plasticizers, thickening agents, surfactants, or power transmission fluids. The steps include, in either order, oligomerization of a hydroxylated fatty acid or fatty ester and quantitative reaction of unreacted carboxylic acid or ester groups with an alcohol, with the product of either reaction then being alkoxylated in the presence of a double metal cyanide catalyst. These oligomerized ester alkoxylates may be derived from vegetable oils to ensure high levels of renewable carbons. The compositions may exhibit desirably high viscosity index, low pour point, and high levels of renewable carbons.

Abstract: Provided is an esterification reaction product having high waterproof-film-forming properties, providing shiny feeling, and being excellent in moisture-retaining properties. The esterification reaction product is prepared by esterifying component A: 12-hydroxystearic acid polymer having a degree of polymerization of 7 or more, component B: fatty acid other than 12-hydroxystearic acid polymers, and component C: pentaerythritol.

Abstract: Natural oil-based polyols that are high in color, e.g., >40 APHA, are decolorized when exposed to high frequency visible light and/or low frequency UV light, with or without the combination of heat and/or air exposure.

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

Abstract: Provided herein are artificial membranes of mycolic acids. The membranes may be unsupported or tethered. These membranes are long lived and highly resistant to electroporation, demonstrating their general strength. The mycolic acid membranes are suitable for controlled studies of the mycobacterial outer membrane and can be used in other experiments, such as nanopore analyte translocation experiments.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a functionalized soybean compound, and a coating composition employing the same. The functionalized soybean compound has the chemical structure represented below: wherein, each n is independent and an integer from 1 to 10; each m is independent and an integer from 1 to 10; each x is independent and can be 1 or 2; and each R1 is independent and can be hydroxyl group, wherein i can be 1, or 2, j can be an integer from 4 to 60, R2 can be hydrogen, C1-3 alkyl group, or acrylic group, R3 and R4 are hydrogen, or R3 and R4 are linked together with the carbon atoms to which R3 and R4 are attached to form a saturated and unsaturated six-membered ring, and R6, R7, and R8 are independent and can be hydrogen, or C1-6 alkyl group.

Abstract: A water-insoluble cutting fluid base oil or grinding fluid base oil for metalworking includes a fatty acid polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether represented by the following formula (I-A), wherein a hydroxyl value of the fatty acid polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether is less than or equal to 2.0 mgKOH/g. R1—CO—(OA)n-OR3??(I-A) (In the formula (I-A), R1 represents a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated monovalent hydrocarbon group having 15 to 21 carbon atoms and R3 represents a linear, branched, or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms. In addition, A represents an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, OA represents alkylene oxide, and n represents 1 to 6 which is an average mole number of added alkylene oxide (AO).

Abstract: A process for the recuperation of acylglycerols or acylglycerols containing free fatty acids from gums, present as aqueous emulsions, said gums being obtained by subjecting triglyceride oil to one or more degumming processes, said recuperation process comprising the steps of: subjecting said gums to enzymatic hydrolysis catalyzed by one or more enzymes with phospholipase activity; allowing said gums to separate into two or more phases, said two or more phases including at least an oily phase and an aqueous phase; and recuperating said oily phase comprising acylglycerols or acylglycerols containing free fatty acids; wherein said enzymatic hydrolysis is accelerated by adding at least part of the one or more enzymes with phospholipase activity to at least part of the water used in the recuperation and/or at least one degumming process; and/or at least part of said triglyceride oils treated in said degumming process; and/or by facilitating mixing at least part of said one or more enzymes with phospholipase activi

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of preparation of compounds resulting from the reaction of levulinic esters and epoxidized unsaturated fatty acid esters. The compounds are useful as renewable biomass-based plasticizers for a variety of polymers. Mono-, di- and tri-ketal adducts formed in a reaction between alkyl esters of levulinate and epoxidized unsaturated fatty acid esters derived from vegetable oils are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the production of food compositions, oils, fuels, oleochemicals, and other compounds in recombinant microorganisms are provided, including oil-bearing microorganisms and methods of low cost cultivation of such microorganisms. Microalgal cells containing exogenous genes encoding, for example, a lipase, a sucrose transporter, a sucrose invertase, a fructokinase, a polysaccharide-degrading enzyme, a keto acyl-ACP synthase enzyme, a fatty acyl-ACP thioesterase, a fatty acyl-CoA/aldehyde reductase, a fatty acyl-CoA reductase, a fatty aldehyde reductase, a fatty aldehyde decarbonylase, and/or an acyl carrier protein are useful in manufacturing food compositions, and transportation fuels such as renewable diesel, biodiesel, and renewable jet fuel, as well as oleochemicals such as functional fluids, surfactants, soaps and lubricants.

Abstract: The invention concerns novel polyunsaturated compounds of formula (I) wherein: R1 represents a R?1, -A-R?1 group, R?1 being selected from —COOH, —COOR3, —CONH2, —CONHR3, —CONR3 R4, —CHO, —CH2OH, —CH2OR5, and A represents a C2-C16 alkylene, alkenylene or alkynylene; R2 represents: an optionally substituted aryl group or an optionally substituted heteroaryl group; a sugar residue or, a fatty acid residue optionally branched and/or substituted preferably at the chain terminus and particularly by hydroxy, acetoxy radical or by an optionally protected amino radical; a —OC —(CH2)n CO-tocopheryl (alpha, beta or gamma or delta) group, with 2 $m(F) n $m(F) 10; a —R?2—O—R6 group, wherein R?2 is an optionally substituted arylene group or an optionally substituted heteroarylene group, and R6 represents a hydrogen atom, a straight or branched optionally substituted C 1-C 16 alkyl, a straight or branched optionally substituted C2-C16 alkenyl, or a straight or branched C2-C16 alkynyl group, an optionally substituted tocophe

Abstract: A compound of the formula R1.[(AO)n.A OR2]m ??(I) where: R1 is the residue of a group having at least m active hydrogen atoms where m is at least 2; AO is an alkylene oxide residue; each n is independently from 0 to 100; and each R2 is independently H or an acyl group COR3 where each R3 is independently a residue of a polyhydroxyalkyl or polyhydroxyalkenyl carboxylic acid, a residue of a hydroxyalkyl or hydroxyalkenyl carboxylic acid and/or a residue of an oligomer of the hydroxyalkyl or hydroxyalkenyl carboxylic acid wherein on average at least 2 of R2 is an acyl group. The compounds are particularly suitable for use as emulsifiers and/or dispersants.

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 is a lubricity improver capable of improving lubricity and storage stability due to anti-oxidation, the lubricity improver containing a saturated fatty acid methyl ester derivative including at least one 1,2-dimethoxy ethylene structural unit represented by Chemical Formula a below, obtained by converting a double bond (olefin) of biodiesel, which is used as a lubricity improver of fuel, that is, the existing fatty acid methyl ester (FAME), into a dimethoxy group.

Abstract: ?-Hydroxycarboxylic esters and ?-lactones which are suitable as flavors can be prepared by electrochemical reductive cross-coupling of ?,?-unsaturated esters with carbonyl compounds in an undivided electrolysis cell having a cathode composed of lead, lead alloys, cadmium, cadmium alloys, mercury, steel, glassy carbon or boron-doped diamonds and a basic aqueous electrolyte comprising an electrolyte salt which suppresses the cathodic formation of hydrogen.

Abstract: Glyceryl ether compounds prepared by the reaction of glycerol and olefin epoxides are disclosed. The compounds are renewable biomass-based surfactants useful as detergents and emulsifiers in formulations for cleaning, laundry, personal care, cosmetics, and industrial uses.

Abstract: A lubricant from plant and/or animal oils and fats; methods for producing a lubricating oil, and the oil produced thereby. The lubricant is derived from an animal or plant fat or oil having an iodine number above about 7, and produced by epoxi-dising the fat or oil and (1) reacting the epoxidised fat or oil with a carboxylic acid anhydride in the presence of a basic catalyst to produce a diester, or (2) hydrogenating the epoxidised fat or oil to generate mono-alcohols and acylating the alcohol functionality with acid anhydrides, acid chlorides or carboxylic acids to produce a mono-ester.

Abstract: Simple, economical preparative processes for the provision of pure hydroxyl functional materials that are derived by converting the alkene groups of the unsaturated molecules found in vegetable oils, into hydroxyl groups.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing polyols of formula (I?) R?1 being H or an alkyl group, R? being especially an alkyl group, A1, being an alkylene radical and R3, are being especially a group -A2-O—Y?, A2 being an alkylene radical and Y? being especially H, said method especially comprising a step of epoxidation of a compound of formula R?1 being H or an alkyl group, A1 being defined as above in formula (I?) and R4 being especially a group -A2-O—Y1?, A2 being defined as above in formula (I?) and Y?1 being especially H, in order to obtain a compound of formula A1 being defined as above, R??1 being H or an alkyl group and R5 being especially a group of formula -A2-O—Y2?, A2 being as defined above in formula (I?) and Y?2 being especially H,

Abstract: The present invention relates to cosmetic compositions containing polyglycerol partial esters of linear, unsubstituted carboxylic acids and bifunctional carboxylic acids with the provisos that the polyglycerol partial ester comprises an HLB-value from 2 to 10 and that the polyglycerol obtained by hydrolysis or alcoholysis of the polyglycerol partial ester comprises an average degree of polymerization of from 2 to 8 and at least 1% of the polyglycerol comprises cyclic structures. The present invention also relates to the use of aforementioned polyglycerol esters for the production of and use in cosmetic compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel approach for the preparation of fatty alcohol esters of ?-hydroxy carboxylic acids. In one form of the invention, the target fatty alcohol ester of ?-hydroxy carboxylic acid is produced by converting a lower alkyl ester of ?-hydroxy carboxylic acid into a fatty alcohol ester of ?-hydroxy carboxylic acid via alcoholysis (i.e., transesterification). The transesterification process is an equilibrium reaction, catalyzed chemically (i.e., with acids or bases) or enzymatically, that is shifted in the desired direction to produce the desired product. One way of shifting the reaction in the direction of the desired product is by reducing the concentration of one of the products (e.g., distillation of a lower-boiling alcohol as it is formed). Another preferred way of shifting the reaction in the direction of the desired product is by increasing the concentration of one of the reactants.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to plasticizer compositions. A composition is provided which includes a castor-free acetylated glyceride of 12-hydroxystearic acid (AGHA) having a hydroxyl number from 0 to less than 15. The castor-free AGHA finds application in coatings for wire and cable.

Abstract: Natural oil-based polyols that are high in color, e.g., >40 APHA, are decolorized when exposed to high frequency visible light and/or low frequency UV light, with or without the combination of heat and/or air exposure.

Abstract: Simple, economical preparative processes for the provision of pure hydroxyl functional materials that are derived by converting the alkene groups of the unsaturated molecules found in vegetable oils, into hydroxyl groups.