| abstract |
Acetoglycerides are prepared in a solventless, single phase interesterification between triacetin and triglycerides bearing long C16 to C22 fatty acid residues by adding triglycerides bearing saturated C3 to C10 acid residues to the reaction mixture. The long acid residues may be hydrogenated before or after interesterification. In one embodiment, the C3 to C10 triglycerides are tripropionin, tributyrin, or mixtures of these; in another, these are triglycerides bearing C8 to C10 acid residues; and in a third, these are a mixture of tripropionin and/or tributyrin and C8 to C10 triglycerides. In preferred embodiments, the molar ratio of C16 to C22 triglycerides to triacetin and C3 to C10 triglycerides varies between 1:1 and 1:15, more narrowly between 1:3 and 1:12, and high temperatures are employed. The process diminishes catalyst use, obviates the need for high shear mixing, shortens reaction times, and simplifies purification steps. |