Esterification of hydroxy compounds by fatty acid anhydrides

• Main Authors: F.H. Mattson, R.A. Volpenhein, James B. Martin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 1964-07-01
• Series: Journal of Lipid Research
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022227520402081

Partial glycerides are rapidly and completely esterified at room temperature to triglycerides by fatty acid anhydrides in the presence of perchloric acid. This esterification occurs without isomerization of the partial glyceride. As a consequence, by the use of partial glycerides of the appropriate structure, triglycerides having a specific structure can be prepared by this means. Other strong acids also catalyze esterification at room temperature, but this is accompanied by isomerization of the partial glyceride. The effect of varying the reaction conditions on the nature and extent of the reaction with partial glycerides has been determined. Alcohols also can be esterified by fatty acid anhydrides in the presence of perchloric acid.