| Abstract: | Composition and Application of Isostearic Acid The clay catalysed oligomerisation of unsaturated fatty acids yields C36 dimer fatty acids, C54 trimer fatty acids and C18 monomer fatty acids. Monomer fatty acids, which consists mainly of straight, branched, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, can be distilled from the higher molecular weight products and after hydrogenation separated into solid stearic acid are mono- and polybranched C18 fatty acids whose branching points are mainly concentrated in the center of the molecule. Depending on the nature of the used raw materials and the degree of refinery, straight chain fatty acids, cyclic fatty acids, γ-lactones, unsaponifiable and even rosin acids are found as impurities. The low cloudpoint, comparable with oleic acid, as well as the excellent temperature- and oxidation stability gives isostearic acid and their derivatives excellent opportunities in applications as cosmetics, lubricants and plastics. |
