TOTALLY RECYCLABLE CATALYSTS FOR ESTERIFICATION REACTIONS

摘要

The invention relates to a catalytic esterification process for the synthesis of an ester of a fatty acid using zinc oxide (ZnO) or zinc(ll) based salts with basic anions, as totally and immediately recyclable catalysts for esterification reactions. The process includes the esterification of fatty acids (C4-C22) with mono-alcohols (C6-C22) and poly-alcohols (C3-C12) (di-hydroxy, tri-hydroxy, tetra-hydroxy, penta-hydroxy) obtaining the corresponding acyl-derivatives.