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Title: SYNTHESIS OF ESTOLIDES FROM LESQUERELLA AND CASTOR FATTY ESTHERS

Author
item WIDAMAN, ANDRIA - KNOX COLLEGE
item Stanley, April
item Cermak, Steven - Steve
item Isbell, Terry

Submitted to: Great Lakes Regional American Chemical Society Symposium
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/29/2004
Publication Date: 10/20/2004
Citation: Widaman, A., Stanley, A.M., Cermak, S.C., Isbell, T. Synthesis of estolides from lesquerella and castor fatty esthers. Great Lakes Regional American Chemical Society Symposium.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Lesquerella fendleri is a member of the genus Lesquerella of the Brassicaceae (mustard) family. Lesquerella is a developing oilseed crop currently grown in the Southwestern U.S, 40 acres in 2003. The oil is very attractive due to high levels (53%) of the hydroxy fatty acid, 14-hydroxy-cis-11-eicosenoic acid (lesquerolic acid). Estolides derived from lesquerella and castor 2-ethylhexyl esters with different saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were synthesized with and without a tin catalyst. These new estolides produced a series of functional fluids with excellent cold temperature properties having pour points <-53 deg C. Poor cold temperature properties is one of the traditional problems with vegetable oils. Synthesis of estolides from the fatty esters will be discussed as well as their physical properties, which include pour and cloud points, viscosities, and colors. Physical property comparisons will be made to commercially available materials.