Synthesis of estolide esters from cis-9-octadecenoic acid estolides

Oleic acid (cis-9-octadecenoic acid) was converted in excellent yield to th e estolide, which was then esterified with 2,2-dimethypropan-1-ol (neopenty l alcohol), cis-9-octadecen-1-ol (oleyl alcohol), and 2-propanol to generat e the corresponding estolide esters. Higher-formula mass estolide esters we re synthesized by reaction of the parent estolide with 1,3-propanediol, 2,2 -dimethyl-1,3-propanediol, and 1,5-pentanediol to give the corresponding di esters of oleic estolide, thus doubling the molecular size of the parent es tolide. Pour points and viscosities were determined in order to evaluate th ese products for possible industrial application.