A process for the preparation of a compound having the formula wherein R 1, R 2 and R 3 are independently selected from acyl groups, wherein one of R 1, R 2 and R 3 is a branched chain long acyl group of the formula wherein n is from 9 to 21 and m is 2n, and wherein p is from 0 to 4 wherein the other two of R 1, R 2 and R 3 are selected from short acyl groups of the formula wherein q is from 0 to 4 the process comprising the steps of: providing an unsaturated compound having the formula wherein R 1, R 2 and R 3 are independently selected from (a) hydrogen, (b) unsaturated long acyl group of the formula wherein x is 0, and wherein n is from 9 to 21 and m is 2n-1-x, 2n-3-x or 2n-5-x;and (c) short acyl groups of the formula wherein q is from 0 to 4 wherein one of R 1, R 2 and R 3 is an unsaturated long acyl group; and if at least one of R 1, R 2 and R 3 is hydrogen, acylating the compound; and (i) hydroxylating the unsaturated long acyl group, to provide a hydroxy long acyl group of the formula wherein y is 1, n is from 9 to 21 and m is 2n+1-y, 2n-1-y or 2n-3-y, and (ii) acylating the hydroxy long acyl group to provide a branched long acyl group of the formula wherein z is 1, n is from 9 to 21 and m is 2n+1-z, 2n-1-z or 2n-3-z, and wherein p is from 0 to 4; or reacting the unsaturated long acyl group with a carboxylic acid of the formula to provide a branched long acyl group of the formula wherein z is 1, n is from 9 to 21 and m is 2n+1-z, 2n-1-z or 2n-3-z, and wherein p is from 0 to 4. providing an unsaturated compound having the formula wherein R 1, R 2 and R 3 are independently selected from (a) hydrogen, (b) unsaturated long acyl group of the formula wherein x is 0, and wherein n is from 9 to 21 and m is 2n-1-x, 2n-3-x or 2n-5-x;and (c) short acyl groups of the formula wherein q is from 0 to 4 wherein one of R 1, R 2 and R 3 is an unsaturated long acyl group; and (a) hydrogen, (b) unsaturated long acyl group of the formula wherein x is 0, and wherein n is from 9 to 21 and m is 2n-1-x, 2n-3-x or 2n-5-x;and (c) short acyl groups of the formula wherein q is from 0 to 4 if at least one of R 1, R 2 and R 3 is hydrogen, acylating the compound; and (i) hydroxylating the unsaturated long acyl group, to provide a hydroxy long acyl group of the formula wherein y is 1, n is from 9 to 21 and m is 2n+1-y, 2n-1-y or 2n-3-y, and (ii) acylating the hydroxy long acyl group to provide a branched long acyl group of the formula wherein z is 1, n is from 9 to 21 and m is 2n+1-z, 2n-1-z or 2n-3-z, and wherein p is from 0 to 4; or reacting the unsaturated long acyl group with a carboxylic acid of the formula to provide a branched long acyl group of the formula wherein z is 1, n is from 9 to 21 and m is 2n+1-z, 2n-1-z or 2n-3-z, and wherein p is from 0 to 4. (i) hydroxylating the unsaturated long acyl group, to provide a hydroxy long acyl group of the formula wherein y is 1, n is from 9 to 21 and m is 2n+1-y, 2n-1-y or 2n-3-y, and (ii) acylating the hydroxy long acyl group to provide a branched long acyl group of the formula wherein z is 1, n is from 9 to 21 and m is 2n+1-z, 2n-1-z or 2n-3-z, and wherein p is from 0 to 4; or (i) hydroxylating the unsaturated long acyl group, to provide a hydroxy long acyl group of the formula wherein y is 1, n is from 9 to 21 and m is 2n+1-y, 2n-1-y or 2n-3-y, and (ii) acylating the hydroxy long acyl group to provide a branched long acyl group of the formula wherein z is 1, n is from 9 to 21 and m is 2n+1-z, 2n-1-z or 2n-3-z, and wherein p is from 0 to 4; reacting the unsaturated long acyl group with a carboxylic acid of the formula to provide a branched long acyl group of the formula wherein z is 1, n is from 9 to 21 and m is 2n+1-z, 2n-1-z or 2n-3-z, and wherein p is from 0 to 4.