Synthesis of alkyl tribenzanoate

A method of making alkyl tribenzanoates includes combining a phenyl tricarboxylic acid or chemical equivalent thereof with greater than or equal to 3.5 molar equivalents of a C4-C18 alkyl alcohol, based on the amount of phenyl tricarboxylic acid or chemical equivalent thereof, in the presence of 0.05 to 0.20 mol % of a titanium tetra-alkoxide catalyst, based on the total moles of phenyl tricarboxylic acid or chemical equivalent, at a temperature greater than 210° C. to form a reaction mixture having an acid value less than or equal to 0.5 as determined according to ASTM D1045.