Preparation and properties of esters of monohydric alcohols and fatty acids of tall oils

Esters of pure tall oil fatty acids and commercially available monohydric alcohols were prepared, distilled, and analyzed for pertinent values. The tall oil fatty acid fraction used in the esterification contained approximately 0.6% rosin acids with essentially equal distribution of fatty acids into oleic and linoleic acids. The use of various techniques, such as fast cooling by the addition of cold water to ester solutien, vacuum topping before water washing, and/or use of carbon dioxide as a blanketing gas resulted in the production of light-colored ester products. These esters, low in acidic impurities and light in color, are another source of chemical intermediates for the preparation of plasticizers, cutting oils, hydraulic fluids, and lubricants. Presented at the 51st annual meeting, American Oil Chemists' Society, Dallas, Tex., April 4–6, 1960.