| abstract |
A process for preparing polyglycerol fatty acid ester mixtures in which a polyglycerol mixture of 0.1 to 20 wt % monoglycerol, 20 to 35 wt % diglycerol, 30 to 40 wt % triglycerol and 49.9 to 5 wt % tetra- and higher polyglycerols is reacted with one or more fatty acids, selected from the saturated C8- to C18-fatty acids (containing 0 to 15 wt % unsaturated fatty acids), in a molar ratio of the polyglycerol to the fatty acid component of 0.3:1.5 to 1.5:0.5 in the presence of at least one catalyst and at reduced pressure, by initially heating the reaction mixture to at least 140 DEG C. and reducing the pressure to at least 600 mbar and then heating the reaction mixture at a temperature from 140 DEG to 220 DEG C. and reducing the pressure from 600 to 10 mbar. After completion of the reaction, the resulting polyglycerol fatty acid ester mixture is cooled and optionally worked up and/or purified. Also disclosed are polyglycerol fatty acid ester mixtures prepared by the process, a liquid thickening agent, an oil/water emulsifier, and the use of the polyglycerol fatty acid ester mixture in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and other chemical preparations. |