Process for the production of triglycerides

US5254722A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien · DE

Inventors

• Eberhard Peukert · Hilden, DE
• Horst Rutzen
• Gerhard Wollmann · Hilden, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 19, 1988
• Grant date: Oct 19, 1993
• Expiry date: May 19, 2008

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C67/03
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process for the production of triglycerides of C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl esters of C.sub.6 -C.sub.22 fatty acids: PA0 a) where dry sodium carbonate catalyst is dissolved in glycerol and mixed with a molar excess of preferably the methyl ester of C.sub.6 -C.sub.22 fatty acid at a temperature between about 150.degree. C. and 250.degree. C. at less than atmospheric pressure and under substantially anhydrous conditions to produce an initial reaction mixture containing the corresponding triglycerides of said fatty acids, and partially reacted glycerol with unreacted hydroxyl groups (OH values 10-40), PA0 b) thereafter, a portion of the initial reaction mixture is reacted with additional C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl ester of C.sub.6 -C.sub.22 fatty acid under conditions to achieve substantially full conversion of said unreacted hydroxyl groups (OH values of 5 or less), and PA0 c) a product containing the corresponding triglycerides of said fatty acids is separated from unreacted alkyl ester and from the sodium carbonate catalyst. Improved light colored triglyceride products are achieved and can be separated readily from the sodium carbonate catalyst by filtration.