Provided herein are processes for preparing estolides and estolide base oils from fatty acid reactants utilizing catalysts. Further provided herein are processes for preparing carboxylic esters from at least one carboxylic acid reactant and at least one olefin.

The present invention relates to a process for producing ethyl esters of polyunsaturated fatty acids, comprising transesterifying triacylglycerols in extracted plant lipid.

The present invention relates to a process for producing ethyl esters of polyunsaturated fatty acids, comprising transesterifying triacylglycerols in extracted plant lipid.

The present invention relates to a process for producing ethyl esters of polyunsaturated fatty acids, comprising transesterifying triacylglycerols in extracted plant lipid.

The present invention relates to a process for producing ethyl esters of polyunsaturated fatty acids, comprising transesterifying triacylglycerols in extracted plant lipid.

The present invention relates to extracted plant lipid, comprising fatty acids in an esterified form.

A process includes the transesterification of a fatty acid triglyceride ester with a salt of hydroxycarboxylic acid without making use of organic solvents. The process can carried out with natural oils as starting material and produces a mixture of medium chain mono and diglycerides and medium chain esters of hydroxycarboxylic acid.

A process includes the transesterification of a fatty acid triglyceride ester with a salt of hydroxycarboxylic acid without making use of organic solvents. The process can carried out with natural oils as starting material and produces a mixture of medium chain mono and diglycerides and medium chain esters of hydroxycarboxylic acid.

Provided herein are compounds of the formula:

##STR00001##

in which n is an integer equal to or greater than 1; R.sub.2 is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; and R.sub.1, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4, independently for each occurrence, are selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched, wherein compositions comprising the compounds are characterized by particular combinations of values for estolide number, kinematic viscosity, and pour point. Also provided are compositions containing the compounds and methods of making both the compounds and compositions thereof.

Provided herein are compounds of the formula:

##STR00001##

in which n is an integer equal to or greater than 1; R.sub.2 is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; and R.sub.1, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4, independently for each occurrence, are selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched, wherein compositions comprising the compounds are characterized by particular combinations of values for estolide number, kinematic viscosity, and pour point. Also provided are compositions containing the compounds and methods of making both the compounds and compositions thereof.