Patent ID: 8846793

Claim:
A process for the preparation of a compound having the formula wherein R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are independently selected from hydrogen and acyl groups, wherein at least 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 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: (1) 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 from 0 to 3, 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 at least one of R 1 , R 2 and R 3 is an unsaturated long acyl group; and (2) if at least one of R 1 , R 2 and R 3 is hydrogen, optionally acylating the compound; and (3a) (i) hydroxylating the unsaturated long acyl group, to provide a hydroxy long acyl group of the formula wherein y is from 1 to 4, 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 from 1 to 4, 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 (3b) 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 from 1 to 4, 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.