Preparation of oleochemical polyols derived from soybean oil

the hydroxylation of epoxidized soybean oil was performed in a well-mixed agitated reactor under isothermal operation. two agents for hydroxylation were evaluated using a homogeneous catalyst. the tests were positive and the best results are achieved with molar relations of alcohol to epoxide of 4:1 for ethanol (t=70°c) and 6:1 for ethylene glycol (t=80°c), using sulfuric acid (2 % p/p) as a catalyst. the hydroxyl numbers of the oleochemical polyols obtained are 120 and 331 mg koh/g, with theoretical functionalities of 2 and 6 for ethanol and ethylene glycol soy-based polyols, respectively.