Biolubricant basestocks from chemically modified ricinoleic acid

This paper presents a series of chemically modified biolubricant basestocks derived from ricinoleic acid. The reactions were monitored and products were confirmed by NMR and FTIR. The synthesis protocol is carried out in three stages: (1) epoxidation of ricinoleic acid; (2) synthesis of 10,12-dihydroxy-9-acyloxystearic acid from epoxidized ricinoleic acid; (3) esterification of the acyloxystearic acid products with 2-ethylhexanol to yield 2-ethylhexyl-10,12-dihydroxy-9-acyloxystearate. The viscosity index, flash point, pour points (PP), and oxidative stability of the resulting products were measured. The resulting esters could plausibly be used as bio-based industrial materials in biolubricants, surfactants, or fuel because they have improved physicochemical properties.