High yield monoglycerides preparation from glycidol and carboxylic acids

Abstract

In the present work we examined the reaction conditions that maximize the yield in monoglycerides (>90%) of 2,3‐epoxy‐1‐propanol (glycidol) reaction with carboxylic acids. Mono‐ and dicarboxylic acids of different chemical structures are used in this study. It was found that the reaction rate depends upon the temperature, the molar excess of glycidol, the structure and the length of the carbon chain of carboxylic acids. Further, the reaction is positively affected by the use of tetraethylammoniumiodide as catalyst. A technique is proposed to improve the glycidol method which appears to be very efficient for the continuous production of monoglycerides in high yields.