Method for the production of partial esters of carbohydrates.

Free method solvent for the production of partial esters of carbohydrate with an average degree of esterification in the range of 1 to 4 by esterification alkali catalyzed in the presence of a catalyst mixture of alkali metal carbonate and alkali metal hypophosphite, where a) for the formation of a catalytically active system is mixed at least one alkali metal carbonate (a1) and at least one fatty acid alkyl ester (a2) of the formula (I). R 1 CO-OR 2 (I) In which R 1 CO is a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched acyl radical having 6 to 30 carbon atoms, and R 2 represents a linear alkyl radical branched or C1 -C5 carbon, b) to the resulting mixture of (a) are added with glycoses constant stirring (b1) 5 to 12 carbon atoms, (b2) partial esters of carbohydrates such as emulsifiers and (b3) alkali metal hypophosphites, so resulting in a dispersion and the resultant mixture is removed under constant agitation at temperatures up to 100 ° c, at a pressure of 50 mbar of water and c) the esterification reaction at a pressure of 50 mbar and temperatures is continued until 125 ° c under constant stirring for the time necessary until the content of alkyl fatty acid of the formula (I) is reduced to at least 8% by weight, based on the total mixture, wherein steps (a) to (c) they are performed optionally under an atmosphere of g as protective, or as in step (a) the alkali metal hypophosphite is added.