Synthesis of Nonionic Sorbitan Monostearate Using High Purity 1,4-sorbitan

Nonionic sorbitan monostearate have been successfully prepared by esterification using 1,4-sorbitan and stearic acid. 1,4-sorbitan were prepared using D-sorbitol and acid catalyst at solvent-free conditions. The synthesized surfactants were characterized by NMR and FT-IR. We also investigated the effect of temperature, pressure and catalyst on the synthesis of nonionic sorbitan monostearate. The yields of 1,4-sorbitan were 90% at under 160 mmHg vacuum, and the yields of nonionic sorbitan monostearate were 92% at under 60 mmHg vacuum.