PRODUCTION OF POLYGLYCEROL COMPOUND HAVING BRANCHED POLYGLYCEROL CHAIN

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To produce a polyglycerol compound having a branched chain structure in a polyglycerol chain by carrying out the addition polymerization of a specific glycidol compound having a protecting group to an organic hydroxy compound and then eliminating benzyl group therefrom. SOLUTION: An organic hydroxy compound of the formula R(OH)q [R is an organic group; (q) is 1-20, especially 1-3] is reacted with a glycidol compound of formula I [Bz is benzyl; (n) is 1-12] to provide a, polyglycerol compound of formula II. The benzyl group Bz is then eliminated therefrom to afford a polyglycerol of formula III. The addition polymerization reaction is preferably carried out in the presence of a phase-transfer catalyst and further preferably conduced by dropping the glycidol compound into the organic hydroxy compound, reacting both and regulating the dropping rate thereof to 0.1-1mol/hr based on 1mol organic hydroxy compound. The polyglycerol is useful as a humectant, a thickener and a plasticizer and fatty acid esters and aliphatic ethers of the polyglycerol provide emulsifying agents for foods and cosmetics.