GB573789A - Improvements in or relating to essential oil compositions - Google Patents

Abstract

Hydroxy polyoxyethylene ethers of partial higher fatty acid esters of low molecular weight polyhydroxylic compounds are prepared by reacting the partial esters with ethylene oxide in the presence of sodium methylate. Of a large number of actual compounds specified, mannitan monolaurate hydroxy polyoxyethylene ether with 20 oxyethylene groups per mol is typical. The polyhydroxylic compounds specified, from which the ether-esters are derived, comprise polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol, glycerol, pentaerythritol, mannitol, sorbitol; their internal ethers such as mannitan, sorbitan, sorbide, mannide; their external ethers such as polyglycerols, dipentaerythritol; and sugars such as glucose, sucrose and cyclitols such as inositol.ALSO:Essential oil compositions comprise a mixture of an essential oil and at least an equal quantity of a water soluble hydroxy polyoxyethylene ether of a partial higher fatty acid ester of a low molecular weight polyhydroxylic compound. In sufficient dilution, the compositions are suitable as perfumes, flavourings and theatre sprays. Aqueous solutions of the compositions may be made, the ether-ester acting as a dispersing agent. The polyhydroxylic compounds specified, from which the ether-esters are derived, comprise polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol, glycerol, pentaerythritol, mannitol, sorbitol; their internal ethers such as mannitan, sorbitan, sorbide, mannide; their external ethers such as polyglycerols, dipentaerythritol; and sugars such as glucose, sucrose and cyclitols such as inositol. The usual fatty acids are used, preferably of 12 to 16 carbon atoms. Ethylene oxide is used to introduce the oxyethylene groups on to the unesterified hydroxyls of the partial esters; these groups solubilize the compounds and the ether-esters concerned have from 6 to 60 oxyethylene groups per mol. The compounds are prepared by reacting the partial esters with ethylene oxide in the presence of sodium methylate. Of a large number of actual compounds specified, mannitan monolaurate hydroxy polyoxyethylene ether with 20 oxyethylene groups per mol is typical. The essential oils specified comprise the oils of orange, spearmint, lemon, cassia, clove, cedar leaf, peppermint, tea tree, chenopodium, pine needle, and benzaldehyde, eucalyptol, terpineol, methyl salicylate, and benzyl acetate.