Oleochemical

Oleochemical are chemicals derived from biological oils or fats.They are analogous to petrochemicals which are chemicals derived from petroleum.

The hydrolysis or fatty acids and glycerol.

In hydrolysis R´= H. So water (H₂O) is added.

RCOOCH₂-CHOOCR-RCOOCH₂ + H_2>O -->

RCOOH-RCOOH-RCOOH + CH₂OH-CHOH-CH₂OH

If oils or fats are made to react with an alcohol instead of with water, the process is alcoholysis and the product are fatty acid esters and glycerol.

In alcoholysis R´= alkyl group. So alcohol is added

RCOOCH₂-CHOOCR-RCOOCH₂ + C_nH_2n+1OH

-->

RCOOC_nH_2n+1-RCOOC_nH_2n+1-RCOOC_nH_2n+1 + CH₂OH-CHOH-CH₂OH