Abstract: Oleic acid-based polyols were prepared through epoxidation, hydrolysis, and esterification of oleic acid and glycerin. The effects of different factors on epoxidation and esterification were discussed. The product and intermediate were analysed by IR and GC-MS. The optimum conditions were determined as follows:epoxidation temperature 60 ℃, epoxidation time 4 h, n(oleic acid)∶n(CH₃COOH)∶n(H₂O₂)1∶0.5∶1.5, esterification temperature 180 ℃, esterification time 3 h, and 0.28 g ZnO as catalyst. The hydroxyl value of polyol from scale experiment reached 410 mg/g. The viscosity of the product was 4 350 mPa·s, density 1.036 g/cm³, moisture content 0.5 %, and acid value < 2 mg/g.

Key words: oleic acid, polyols, epoxidation, esterification