Diol diricinoleates from dihaloalkanes

A series of alkanediol diricinoleates was prepared by heating ricinoleic acid with triethylamine and dibromo- or dichloroalkanes containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms. As expected, the dibromides react more rapidly than the dichlorides. This method of esterification avoids the side reaction of estolide formation which occurs when ricinoleates are prepared by direct esterification or transesterification. The products are high molecular weight diols which should be useful in the preparation of polyurethanes. Presented at the AOCS Meeting, San Francisco April 1969. W. Utiliz. Res. Dev. Div., ARS, USDA.