Warren J. Urban - River Vale NJ Joseph Barillo - Glen Rock NJ Jerry J. Krupa - Rockaway NJ
Assignee:
Lever Brothers Company - New York NY
International Classification:
C07C14390 C11D 128
US Classification:
260400
Abstract:
A method is disclosed for preparing fatty acid isethionate soaps through direct esterification wherein the catalyst is quenched by an alkaline compound at the end of the esterification. Quenching inhibits transesterification between isethionate and later added stearic acids. Transesterification is undesirable impairing lather and bar soap firmness. The traditional stripping of lower molecular weight fatty acids is no longer necessary where low ratios of fatty acids to isethionates are utilized. Alternatively, stripping can be avoided with traditional molar ratios provided water co-distillate fatty acid is not recycled. Finally, it has been shown that zinc catalyzed reactions provide optimum yield and low corrosion at pH about 2. 0 to 2. 5.