The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 10, 1995
Filed:
Mar. 01, 1991
Abstract
A process for the production of hydroxy fatty acids and novel estolide compounds, each of which may be used as lubricants, greases, plasticizers and printing inks, as well as in cosmetics. The estolides are of the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from C.sub.6 -C.sub.16 hydrocarbons which may be saturated or unsaturated, and branched or straight chain, and optionally substituted, such as with one or more hydroxy groups; R.sub.2 is independently selected from C.sub.2 -C.sub.17 hydrocarbons which may be saturated or unsaturated, and branched or straight chain, and optionally substituted, such as with one or more hydroxy groups; A is selected from C.sub.3 -C.sub.14 hydrocarbons which may be saturated or unsaturated, and branched or straight chain, and optionally substituted; n is greater than or equal to 1; y is an integer from 3-13; x is 1 or 2; and . . . designates a single or double carbon/carbon bond. Formation of these estolides is by catalytic reaction of unsaturated fatty acids, especially .DELTA..sup.5 and .DELTA..sup.6 unsaturated fatty acids. Following their formation, the estolides may be recovered for subsequent use, or in the alternative, they may be hydrolyzed to produce hydroxy fatty acids.