| abstract |
A method of producing a diol diester, which includes reacting a fatty acid alkyl ester having 6 to 30 carbon atoms, an a,?-alkanediol having n carbon atoms, wherein n is an integer from 2 to 22; and a basic transesterification catalyst, is provided. Use of the diol diesters as phase change materials is also provided. In preferred embodiments, the basic transesterification catalyst is an inorganic base, such as an alkali metal hydroxide, an alkali metal alkoxide, or an alkali metal carbonate. |