Synthesis of long chain alkyl glyceryl ethers from triglycerides using boron trifluoride etherate and lithium aluminum hydride

Reductive Etherification of Fatty Acids or Esters with Alcohols using Molecular Hydrogen

In the presence of a catalyst system consisting of a ruthenium/triphos complex and the Brønsted acid trifluoromethanesulfonimide, mixtures of fatty acids and aliphatic alcohols are converted into the corresponding ethers at 70 bar H2 . The protocol allows the sustainable one-step synthesis of valuable long-chain ether fragrances, lubricants, and surfactants from renewable sources. The reaction protocol is extended to various fatty acids and esters both in pure form and as mixtures, for example, tall oil acids or rapeseed methyl ester (RME). Even the mixed triglyceride rapeseed oil was converted in one step.

Safety assessment of alkyl glyceryl ethers as used in cosmetics

Alkyl glyceryl ethers function mostly as skin-conditioning agents in cosmetic products applied to the skin and hair. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel reviewed the available animal toxicity and clinical data, including the low dermal absorption, and concluded that the alkyl glyceryl ethers are safe in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment.

Synthesis of ethers by GaBr3 -catalyzed reduction of carboxylic acid esters and lactones by siloxanes

Ethers were synthesized by reduction of the respective esters catalyzed by gallium bromide (GaBr3 ) and using siloxanes, preferentially 1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane, as reductant. Methyl oleate, triglycerides, that is, tributyrine and glyceryl triundec-10-enoate as well as γ- and δ-lactones were converted into the respective ethers in high to moderate yields. γ-Lactones were reduced with high selectivity in the presence of a methyl ester functionality. The reduction has been carried out at room temperature or moderately elevated temperature of up to 60 °C using stoichiometric amounts of the reductant and 0.005-0.01 equiv of GaBr3 as catalyst per ester functionality without any solvent added. After a reaction time of 1-4 h the conversion of the substrate was 100 %. The product was separated from polymeric siloxanes formed as coupled product by simple distillation.

[Non-caloric compounds with fat-like functional properties (pseudofats)]

The review deals with the synthesis, characterization, physicochemical and physiological properties with respect to nutrition of acaloric fat-like compounds (pseudofats) with special regard to fatty acid esters of sucrose, glycerol ethers and glycerol dicarbonic acid esters. Furthermore an outlook is given of other classes of compounds that are potentially suited to substitute fat as for instance polycarbonic acid-, polyglycerol-, and polyglycol derivatives.