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Abstract

Acetoglycerides are prepared in a solventless, single phase interesterification between triacetin and triglycerides bearing long C.sub.16 to C.sub.22 fatty acid residues by adding triglycerides bearing saturated C.sub.3 to C.sub.10 acid residues to the reaction mixture. The long acid residues may be hydrogenated before or after interesterification. In one embodiment, the C.sub.3 to C.sub.10 triglycerides are tripropionin, tributyrin, or mixtures of these; in another, these are triglycerides bearing C.sub.8 to C.sub.10 acid residues; and in a third, these are a mixture of tripropionin and/or tributyrin and C.sub.8 to C.sub.10 triglycerides. In preferred embodiments, the molar ratio of C.sub.16 to C.sub.22 triglycerides to triacetin and C.sub.3 to C.sub.10 triglycerides varies between 1:1 and 1:15, more narrowly between 1:3 and 1:12, and high temperatures are employed. The process diminishes catalyst use, obviates the need for high shear mixing, shortens reaction times, and simplifies purification steps.

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First Claim