Synthesis and Physical Properties of Tallow-Oleic Estolide 2-Ethylhexyl Esters

Tallow-oleic estolide 2-ethylhexyl (2-EH) esters were synthesized in a perchloric acid catalyzed one-pot process from industrial 90% oleic and tallow fatty acids at various ratios, while varying the ratio of tallow and oleic fatty acids, with the esterification process incorporated into an in situ second step to provide a functional fluid. Their viscosities ranged 57–80 cSt at 40 °C and 10.8–14.0 cSt at 100 °C with viscosity index (VI) 169–185. The 100% tallow estolide 2-EH ester had modest low-temperature properties (pour point = −15 °C and cloud point = −14 °C), while the 50:50 mixture of oleic and tallow fatty acids produced an estolide that had better low-temperature properties (pour point = −21 °C and cloud point = −21 °C) without a large negative effect on the oxidative stability. The oxidative stability increased as the amount of saturation increased (rotating pressurized vessel oxidation test (RPVOT) × 165–274 min). The tallow-oleic estolide 2-EH esters have shown remarkably low evaporative losses of only 1% loss compared to a 15–17% loss for commercial materials of similar viscosity grade. Along with expected good biodegradability, these tallow-oleic estolide 2-EH esters had acceptable properties that should provide a specialty niche. Names are necessary to report factually on available data; however, the USDA neither guarantees nor warrants the standard of the product, and the use of the name by USDA implies no approval of the product to the exclusion of others that may also be suitable.     

Comparative Assay of Antioxidant Packages for Dimer of Estolide Esters

A series of 26 different antioxidants and commercial antioxidant packages designed for petroleum‐based materials, containing both natural and synthetic‐based materials, were evaluated with dimeric coconut‐oleic estolide 2‐ethylhexyl ester (2‐EH), a bio‐based material. The different antioxidants were categorized into different classes of phenolic, aminic, and blended/others materials. The oxidation onset temperatures (OT) using non‐isothermal pressurized differential scanning calorimetry (PDSC) were measured and recorded under previously reported standard conditions. The aminic series gave the best resistance to oxidation as defined by the PDSC method with OT of 246.6 and 244.7 °C for the best two performers, which was a 38 °C improvement over the uninhibited or unformulated dimer estolide material. The phenolic series, containing most of the naturally occurring antioxidants, was the least successful formulation package for the dimer estolide. The blended/other materials, which were specifically designed for petroleum‐based lubricants, did not have the best OT, since the estolides and other bio‐based materials interact differently than their petroleum counterparts. A number of potential antioxidants have been identified as useful additives for the estolides esters. The OT of the estolide and formulated materials correlated well with other bio‐based materials such as biodiesel.     

Synthesis and physical properties of cuphea-oleic estolides and esters

Cuphea-oleic estolides and esters were synthesized from cuphea and oleic FA with various amounts of perchloric acid (0.01 to 0.40 equiv) at 60°C. Estolide yields ranged from 30 to 65% after Kugelrohr distillation. Estolide number (EN), the average number of FA units added to a base FA, varied with reaction conditions. Cuphea-oleic estolides were esterified with 2-ethylhexanol to obtain high yields of the corresponding ester. A streamlined, one-pot process was used to synthesize the estolide and its ester with 0.05 equiv of HClO₄, with, esterification incorporated into an in situ second step to provide a functional fluid at a very reasonable cost. The physical properties of the cuphea-oleic estolides and estolide esters, including their viscosities, pour points, and cloud points, were related directly to the amount of oligomerization (EN), i.e., viscosity increased with higher oligomerization. The viscosity index ranged from 132 to 166 cSt for the free-acid estolides, whereas the complex estolide 2-ethylhexyl esters had slightly high viscosity indices that ranged from 165 to 181 cSt. These new cuphea-oleic estolide esters displayed good low-temperature properties (pour point −42°C and cloud point −41°C).     

Lipase-catalyzed synthesis and properties of estolides and their esters

Eight lipases were screened for their ability to synthesize estolides from a mixture that contained lesquerolic (14-hydroxy-11-eicosenoic) acid and octadecenoic acid. With the exception ofAspergillus niger lipase, all 1,3-specific enzymes (fromRhizopus arrhizus andRhizomucor miehei lipases) were unable to synthesize estolides.Candida rugosa andGeotrichum lipases catalyzed estolide formation at >40% yield, with >80% of the estolide formed being monoestolide from one lesquerolic and one octadecenoic acyl group:Pseudomonas sp. lipase synthesized estolides at 62% yield, but the product mixture contained significant amounts of monoestolide with two lesquerolic acyl groups as well as diestolide. ImmobilizedR. miehei lipase was chosen to catalyze the esterification of mono-and polyestolide, derived synthetically from oleic acid, with fatty alcohols or α,ω-diols. Yields were >95% for fatty alcohol reactions and >60% for diol reactions. In addition, the estolide linkage remained intact through the course of the esterification process. Esterification of estolides improved the estolide’s properties—for example, lower viscosity and higher viscosity index—but slightly raised the melting point. Estolides and, particularly, estolide esters may be suitable as lubricants or lubricant additives.     

Synthesis and Evaluation of Soy Fatty Acid Ester Estolides as Bioplasticizers in Poly(Vinyl Chloride)

Plasticizers are nonvolatile organic liquids that impart flexibility to polymers. Due to environmental, health, and safety reasons, the industry is looking for bioplasticizers to replace petroleum-derived phthalates. To fulfill this need, soy fatty acid ester estolides were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated as phthalate replacements. Soybean oil was transesterified with methanol or glycerol to form lower molecular weight fatty acid esters that were epoxidized and ring opened with acetic acid and acetylated to give the final products. Ring opening and acetylation of the epoxidized oleic acid esters gave acyclic acetate fatty acid ester estolides, whereas the polyunsaturated fatty acid esters, linoleate, and linolenate gave cyclic tetrahydrofuran derivatives and cross-linked higher molecular weight materials. The cyclization mechanism to form the tetrahydrofuran derivatives was postulated. Soy fatty acid ester estolides were compounded with formulated poly(vinyl chloride), (PVC) and tested for their functional properties. The physical and functional properties of the new bioplasticizers were compared with commercial plasticizers. The elasticity of PVC compounded with experimental plasticizers and commercial phthalates was comparable. PVC compounded with fatty acid methyl ester estolide showed lower glass transition temperature and similar tensile properties compared to PVC compounded with the commercial phthalate. PVC compounded with the glyceryl fatty acid ester estolide showed a higher glass transition temperature, higher tensile properties compared to PVC compounded with the commercial phthalate.     

Soybean Oil Fatty Acid Ester Estolides as Potential Plasticizers

Fatty acid ester estolides were synthesized from soybean oil and evaluated for plasticizer functionality in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). The plasticization ability of the fatty acid ester estolides depends upon the molecular features such as polarity, molecular weight, and branching. The structure of the fatty acid derivatives was modified at the ester head group with various alcohols and the estolide branch was created at the site of unsaturation. Soy fatty acid esters of methanol, iso-butanol, 2-ethylhexanol, and glycerol were prepared to vary the size and polarity at the ester head group. Estolides of these fatty acid esters were prepared using two synthetic routes. In the first route, the fatty acid ester was condensed with an aliphatic acid at the site of unsaturation in the presence of a strong mineral acid. In the second route, the fatty acid ester double bonds were converted to epoxy groups, which were ring opened and acetylated to form acetate estolides. The first synthetic route resulted in low-average estolide content per fatty acid chain while the second route resulted in a higher estolide content per fatty acid chain. The fatty acid ester estolides compounded with PVC showed good plasticizer properties as evidenced by the rheological properties and reduction in glass transition temperature. The fatty acid ester estolides with a higher estolide content had better plasticizer functionality, comparable to commercial controls.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Polyethylene Glycol Diesters from Estolides Containing Epoxides and Diols

Estolides from oleic acid, 12-hydroxystearic acid, and methyl ricinoleate were synthesized and converted to polyethylene glycol (PEG) diesters. Oleic estolide was synthesized from oleic acid as a homo-oligomeric material using perchloric acid in 68.8% yield and an estolide number (EN) value of 1.29. Estolides from 12-hydroxystearic acid were homo-oligomers made by heating under vacuum at 150 °C for 24 hours to give a quantitative yield of estolide with an EN value of 2.55. Oleic acid-based estolides and 12-hydroxystearic acid-based estolide were esterified with PEG-200 diol to form PEG 200 diesters. Ricinoleate estolides was capped with lauric acid or 12-hydroxystearic estolide by reacting methyl ricinoleate with the corresponding fatty acids at 150 °C using tin(II) octoate as a catalyst. The corresponding estolides were transesterified with PEG-200 diol to form the diesters. The residual olefin of ricinoleate was then epoxidized and underwent ring opening hydrolysis to form the corresponding diol. NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer, heteronuclear single quantum correlation, heteronuclear multiple bond correlation, and correlated spectroscopy) was used to characterize the products.     

Viscometric Properties of Polyethylene Glycol di-Esters of Estolides

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) diesters from estolides of oleic acid, ricinoleic acid, and 12-hydroxy stearic acid were used up to 5 wt% additive in petroleum-derived base oils: 100 N, 220 N, 600 N, PAO 2cSt, PAO 4cst, and PAO 8cSt. The viscosity indices of the petroleum base oils were the lowest (VI = 104–108); the polyalpholefin (PAO) synthetic petroleum-derived base oils were better (VI = 124–136) and the vegetable-derived oils were the best (VI = 111–205). 12-Hydroxystearic estolide PEG 400 diester gave the largest increase in viscosity index in 5% w/w admixtures with PAO 2cSt, 4cSt, 220 N, and 600 N base oils with a 12.3–16.3% increase in viscosity index. Single fatty chain esters had the least impact on viscosity index. As the molecule bulk increased, the viscosity index also increased. This viscosity index effect was demonstrated for the series of monomer to oleic estolide to oleic estolide PEG-200 diester, which gave viscosity indices of 110, 111–122, respectively, in 5% admixtures with 100 N base oil. The larger the size of the molecule coupled with the polar PEG moiety gave the largest impact on viscosity index improvement where a 5 wt% admixture of 12-hydroxystearate estolide PEG-200 diester gave a 25.8% increase in 100 °C viscosity in PAO 2cSt. Incorporation of a dihydroxyl moiety into the molecule at a central side chain location in laurate-capped ricinoleate estolide PEG-200 diester did not increase viscosity index of the base oil but greatly reduced its solubility to less than 0.5 wt%.     

Produkte der Dimerisierung ungesättigter Fettsäuren X: Identifizierung von Estoliden in der Anfangsphase der Dimerisierung

Products of the Dimerisation of Unsaturated Fatty Acids X: Identification of Estolides in Early Phase of the Dimerisation Dimeric fatty acids, obtained by dimerisation of the conjugated fatty acid (mixture of 9,11-Octadecadienoic acid and 10,12-Octadecadienoic acid) in presence of the catalyst molybdenum pentachloride and tin dichloride, could be separated after methylation with diazomethane. The isolated fraction of methyl-9-octadecanoyloxy-octadecanoat resp. methyl-10-octadecanoyloxy-octadecanoat and methyl-9-octadec-9-enoyloxy-octadecanoat resp. methyl-10-octadec-9-enoyloxy-octadecanoat was characterized. It could be shown that these estolides can be saponified to stearic acid, oleic acid and 9- resp. 10-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid. Thus saponification can serve as an unambiguous proof of estolide components. Analogous estolides could be identified in the early phase of the clay-catalyzed dimerisation of oleic and linoleic acid. The detection of estolides shows that at low dimerisation temperature at first hydroxy fatty acids are formed which are subsequently esterified with unsaturated fatty acids. In the final products of the dimerisation estolides are absent, because their formation is suppressed by higher temperatures.     

Synthesis of estolides from oleic and saturated fatty acids

Oleic acid and various saturated fatty acids, butyric through stearic, were treated with 0.4 equivalents of perchloric acid at either 45 or 55°C to produce complex estolides. Yields varied between 45 and 65% after Kugelrohr distillation. The estolide number (EN), i.e., the average number of fatty acid units added to a base fatty acid, varied as a function of temperature and saturated fatty acid. The shorter-chain saturated fatty acids, i.e., butyric and hexanoic, provided material with higher degrees of oligomerization (EN=3.31) than stearic acid (EN=1.36). The individual, saturated fatty acid estolides each have very different characteristics, such as color and type of by-products. The higher-temperature reactions occurred at faster rates at the expense of yield, and lactones were the predominant side products. At 55°C, lactone yields increased, but the δ-γ-lactone ratio decreased; this led to lower estolide yields. The opposite trend was observed for the 45°C reaction. The saturate-capped, oleic estolides were then esterified with 2-ethylhexyl alcohol, and the chemical composition of these new estolides remained consistent throughout the course of the reaction.     

Mineral acid-catalyzed condensation of meadowfoam fatty acids into estolides

Meadowfoam fatty acids (83% monoenoic fatty acid), reacted with 0.01–0.1 mole equivalents of perchloric acid, gave 33–71% yield of estolide, an oligomeric 2° ester, resulting from self condensation. Equimolar amounts of perchloric acid to fatty acid failed to produce estolide but converted the fatty acids to a mixture of lactones, mainly γ-eicosanolactone. Temperature plays a critical role; higher temperatures (75–100°C), at the same acid concentration, provide lactones while lower temperatures (20–65°C) yield estolides. Lower acid levels (<0.1 mole equivalents) gave the best yields (≈70%) at 65°C. The estolide and monomer were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared high-pressure liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The estolide is a mixture of oligomers with an average distribution near 1.65 ester units. The ester linkages are located mainly at the original double bond positions but have some positional isomerization to adjacent sites in accord with carbocation migration along the alkyl chain. The residual double bond of the estolide was extensively isomerized fromcis totrans and positionally along the chain. The distilled monomer is similar in structure to the unsaturated portion of the estolide with geometrical and positional double bond isomerization. In addition, a significant amount of cyclization of the fatty acids to lactone (≈30%) had occurred.     

Physical Properties of Low Viscosity Estolide 2-Ethylhexyl Esters

Acetic‐ and butyric‐capped oleic estolide 2‐ethylhexyl (2‐EH) esters were synthesized in a perchloric acid catalyzed (0.05 equiv) one‐pot process from industrial 90 % oleic acid and either acetic or butyric fatty acids at two different ratios. This was directly followed by the esterification process incorporated into an in‐situ second step to provide a low viscosity estolide ester functional fluid. The monoestolide and polyestolides were separated via vacuum distillation (6–13 Pa) at 240–250 °C. The physical properties of these materials were followed throughout the synthetic process and are reported. The final low viscosity acetic‐ and butyric‐capped monoestolide 2‐EH esters had viscosities of 19.9 and 24.2 cSt at 40 °C and 4.8 and 5.5 cSt at 100 °C with viscosity indexes (VI) of 161 and 163, respectively. Both monoestolide esters displayed excellent pour points (PPs). The PPs of the two were as follows: acetic‐capped estolide 2‐EH ester PP = ?45 °C and butyric‐capped estolide 2‐EH ester PP = ?27 °C. The biodegradable short‐capped oleic estolide 2‐EH esters had excellent low temperature properties and should perform well in low viscosity applications.     

Viscous,thermal and tribological characterization of oleic and ricinoleic acids-derived estolides and their blends with vegetable oils

This work deals with the viscous, thermal and tribological characterization of a variety of estolides, obtained from both oleic and ricinoleic acids, using different acid-catalysed synthesis protocols, and their blends with vegetable (high-oleic sunflower, HOSO, and castor, CO) oils. Estolides with molecular weights between 4.4 and 6.9 times higher than the originating fatty acids were obtained. Polymerization degree was larger when using the sulphuric acid-catalysed synthesis protocol. Estolides obtained from oleic acid displayed higher freezing temperatures than the fatty acid, whereas the crystallization process was delayed in estolides obtained from ricinoleic acid, yielding improved low-temperature properties. Ricinoleic acid-derived estolides showed much higher viscosity values than those prepared from the oleic acid, with values of kinematic viscosity up to around 6700 mm²/s. In general, viscosities were related to estolide molecular weight. Significant increments in HOSO and CO viscosities were found when they were blended with estolides, especially those prepared from the ricinoleic acid using the sulphuric and p-toluensulphonic acids-catalyzed methods. Relative increments in kinematic viscosities up to 1500% and 700% were obtained for HOSO and CO, respectively. HOSO's viscosity-temperature dependence was significantly improved when it was blended with different estolides, whereas CO/oleic acid-derived estolides blends showed a more moderate improvement of CO thermal dependence. The sulphuric acid-catalysed method influences friction and wear in the ball-on-plates contact lubricated with estolides. The addition of the different estolides to HOSO or CO does not modify their frictional behavior, resulting in just one single Stribeck curve for all samples, and significantly reduces wear.     

Estolide Molecular Weight Distribution via Gel Permeation Chromatography

Using the universal calibration and the Mark-Houwink equation (MHE) (), three batches of oleic estolide acids and their corresponding 2-ethylhexyl esters were characterized using gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The MHE parameters in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at 40 °C were determined (for acids: α = 0.442 ± 0.003 and log₁₀K =2.505 ± 0.007, for esters: α =0.531 ± 0.006 and log₁₀K =2.794 ± 0.018). The fits of the GPC chromatograms yielded also the oligomeric composition of the estolides, which can be used to calculate the estolide number (EN) of an estolide mixture, and other molecular-weight distribution parameters, such as number-average molecular weight (M_n ), weight-average molecular weight (M_w ), and dispersity (Ð). Using the Deming line fit, we concluded that the GPC should be expected to be approximately three times more sensitive than the currently used methods for determination of EN values.     

Synthesis of estolide esters from cis-9-octadecenoic acid estolides

Oleic acid (cis-9-octadecenoic acid) was converted in excellent yield to the estolide, which was then esterified with 2,2-dimethypropan-1-ol (neopentyl alcohol), cis-9-octadence-1-ol (oleyl alcohol), and 2-propanol to generate the corresponding estolide esters. Higher-formula mass estolide esters were synthesized by reaction of the parent estolide with 1,3-propanediol, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol, and 1,5-pentanediol to give the corresponding diesters of oleic estolide, thus doubling the molecular size of the parent estolide. Pour points and viscosities were determined in order to evaluate these products for possible industrial application.     

Estolide production with modified clay catalysts and process conditions

The 20% yields of estolides prepared from oleic acid and meadowfoam oil fatty acids are improved when the montmorillonite clay catalysts are modified to increase their activity. Changes we explored included acidifying the clay, treating to increase the surface area of clay to introduce new active sites, and decreasing the ionic character of the clay surface to enhance adsorption of the fatty acids. We also evaluated the use of higher levels of clay in the reactions. Clays treated with Fe³⁺ salts increase the estolide yield from 21 to 27%, a 28% increase. Clay catalysts were also treated with surface-active reagents. The most active were cationic surfactants, and montmorillonite clays treated with cetyltrimethylammonium chloride increased the estolide yield to 30%. Estolide yields could not be improved beyond 30% by increasing the amount of clay. However, nitrogen sparging increases the efficiency of stirring and increased the estolide yield to 35% estolide.     

Studies in estolides. I. Kinetics of estolide formation and decomposition

A study has been made of the rate of formation of estolides from castor oil fatty acids and of their decomposition at different temps. Estolide formation appears to be optimum at the end of 5 hr at about 220C, beyond which estolides start decomposing, giving rise to DCO fatty acids. At about 300C, estolide decomposition is complete within an hour. During estolide formation there is a linear increase in optical rotation which again decreases linearly, although at a different rate, during estolide decomposition. At optimum estolide formation, the optical rotation is as high as 25.5. Part of the thesis submitted by S. N. Modak to the University of Bombay for the degree of Ph.D.     

Synthesis of triglyceride estolides from lesquerella and castor oils

Triglyceride (TG) estolides were synthesized from the hydroxy moieties of lesquerella and castor oils with oleic acid. Complete esterification of the hydroxy oils was possible when a slight excess of oleic acid was employed (1 to 1.5 mole equivalents). The estolides could be formed in the absence of catalyst at 175 to 250°C under vacuum or a nitrogen atmosphere. The optimal reaction conditions were found to be under vacuum at 200°C for 12 h for lesquerella and 24 h for castor oil. The lesquerella esterification reaction was completed in half the time of the for castor and with lower equivalents of oleic acid due to the difunctional hydroxy nature of lesquerella TG compared to the trifunctional nature of castor TG. Interesterification or dehydration of the resulting estolides to conjugated FA was not a significant side reaction, with only a slight amount of dehydration occurring at the highest temperature studied, 250°C. Use of a mineral-or Lewis-acid catalyst increased the rate of TG-estolide formation at 75°C but resulted in the formation of a dark oil, and the reaction did not go to completion in 24 h. Estolide numbers (i.e., degree of estolide formation) for the reaction and characterization of the products were made by ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR. The decrease in the hydroxy methine signal at 3.55 ppm was used to quantify the degree of esterification by comparing this integral to the integral of the alpha methylene protons on the glycerine at 4.28 and 4.13 ppm.     

Enzymatic synthesis of estolides by a bioreactor

An attempt was made to synthesize ricinoleic acid estolides effectively with a bioreactor system containing immobilized lipase. The optimal water content for reaction changed during synthesis of estolide from ricinoleic acid. The water content needs to be controlled to optimize conditions for each reaction stage and to prepare estolide with a high degree of condensation. The estolide synthesis was attempted to confirm if the reaction would have proceeded to the targeted degree of condensation by controlling the reaction mixture under the optimal water content. The result showed that, with the bioreactor, the reaction could proceed rapidly. A repeated batch reaction was possible in the bioreactor. The amount of lipase used can thus be highly reduced compared with discarding it each time. The loading density of enzyme onto the carrier greatly affected enzymatic activity, with a loading level of 60 mg lipase/g carrier producing 60% more estolide per gram of enzyme than a loading level of 120 mg/g. The estolide product synthesized in the bioreactor showed no coloration during the reaction process. This fact confirmed the validity of the proposed method.     

Acetoxylation of methyl oleate with a resin catalyst

The reaction of methyl oleate with acetic acid in the presence of a reticulated cation exchange resin produces methyl acetoxystearate. Saponification of this compound and subsequent acidification yields hydroxystearic acid. Time, temperature, acetic acid:ester ratio, and resin:ester ratio were examined for their effect on yield of methyl acetoxystearate. A yield of approximately 45% of theory was reached under the best conditions. The cation exchange resin promoted ester inter-change with the formation of oleic acid, acetoxy-stearic acid, and methyl acetate. An estolide polymer was formed, probably by ester inter-change between acetoxylated methyl oleate and oleic acid. Acetoxy esters were separated from unreacted methyl oleate and ester polymers by fractional distillation. Molecular weight and GLC data substantiate the product structure. Several other short-chain carboxylic acids were reacted with methyl oleate but gave lower yields of acyloxylated product than acetic acid. Presented at the AOCS Meeting in Cincinnati, October 1965. No. Utiliz. Res. Der. Div., ARS, USDA.