MONITORING THE ESTERIFICATION OF SORBITOL AND FATTY-ACIDS BY GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHY

Lauric acid esters of sorbitol, 1,4-sorbitan and 1,4:3,6-isosorbide we re synthesized in laboratory. Esterification was carried out at 160 de grees C with a catalyst for sorbitol cyclization and esterification, v iz., p-toluenesulfonic acid. Lipid classes and polyols were separated and analysed by GC as trimethylsilyl ethers and esters. The purpose of the study was to determine the suitability of GC analysis of these pr oducts as a means of following the progress of reactions. The results confirmed the possibility of monitoring lauric acid and sorbitol ester ification via the GC determination of lauric acid concentration.