Vernolic acid esters as plasticizers for polyvinyl chloride

The methyl, propyl, butyl, isobutyl, hexyl, cyclohexyl, octyl, and 2-ethylhexyl esters of vernolic (epoxyoleic) acid, a naturally-occurring epoxy acid, were prepared and evaluated as plasticizers of polyvinyl chloride. All the esters showed good compatibility. The data indicated that they are excellent low temperature plasticizers having Tf temperatures below −50C. They also have the added advantage of greatly increasing the heat stability of the polyvinyl chloride and improving the light stability. The results are compared with DOP and other epoxy-containing plasticizers now being used commercially. These esters should not only be useful as primary plasticizers but also in combination with other plasticizers as plasticizer-stabilizers.