Submitted to: Great Lakes Regional American Chemical Society Symposium
Publication Acceptance Date: July 29, 2004
Publication Date: October 20, 2004
Citation: Widaman, A., Stanley, A.M., Cermak, S.C., Isbell, T. Synthesis Of Estolides From Lesquerella And Castor Fatty Esthers. Great Lakes Regional American Chemical Society Symposium.

Technical Abstract: Lesquerella fendleri is a member of the genus Lesquerella of the Brassicaceae (mustard) family. Lesquerella is a developing oilseed crop currently grown in the Southwestern U.S, 40 acres in 2003. The oil is very attractive due to high levels (53%) of the hydroxy fatty acid, 14-hydroxy-cis-11-eicosenoic acid (lesquerolic acid). Estolides derived from lesquerella and castor 2-ethylhexyl esters with different saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were synthesized with and without a tin catalyst. These new estolides produced a series of functional fluids with excellent cold temperature properties having pour points <-53 deg C. Poor cold temperature properties is one of the traditional problems with vegetable oils. Synthesis of estolides from the fatty esters will be discussed as well as their physical properties, which include pour and cloud points, viscosities, and colors. Physical property comparisons will be made to commercially available materials.