Patent ID: 8586771

Claim:
A process of producing an estolide base oil comprising providing at least one first estolide compound having at least one mesylate residue, wherein said at least one first estolide compound is selected from compounds of Formula III: wherein z is an integer selected from 0 to 12; q is an integer selected from 0 to 10; x is, independently for each occurrence, an integer selected from 0 to 10; y is, independently for each occurrence, an integer selected from 0 to 10; n is an integer selected from 0 to 8; R 6 is methyl; and R 2 is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched, wherein each fatty acid chain residue is unsubstituted; and eliminating the at least one mesylate residue by exposing the at least one first estolide compound to heat and/or basic conditions to provide a demesylated estolide compound that is unsaturated at the site of elimination.