Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Bio-oils Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #276612
Title: Guerbet compounds

Author
item Knothe, Gerhard

Submitted to: AOCS Lipid Library
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/19/2011
Publication Date: 12/20/2011
Citation: Knothe, G.H. 2011. Guerbet compounds. AOCS Lipid Library. http://lipidlibrary.aocs.org/chemistry/guerbet/index.htm

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Guerbet alcohols are of significant commercial interest for various applications, including in lubricants and surfactant systems, due to their great fluidity range, high oxidative stability, and good lubricity imparted by the saturated hydrocarbon backbone, branching, and the presence of an OH group. This article summarizes the synthesis of these compounds by the Guerbet reaction, which summarily is a dimerization of normal alcohols to Guerbet alcohols under liberation of water. The properties and uses of Guerbet alcohols and related compounds are also addressed.