A novel technique for the preparation of secondary fatty amides. III. Alkanolamides, diamides and aralkylamides

A low‐temperature synthesis of fatty alkanolamides, fatty diamides and fatty aralkylamides directly from triglycerides and primary amines provides essentially quantitative yields of the various products. The reactions run to completion in 3–12 h at temperatures of 50–60°C, approximately 100°C lower than employed in present conventional practice. The amines are used in excess and serve as solvent, reagent and, perhaps, as catalyst. The amides were characterized by melting point and spectroscopic (infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance) methods. If the mixed amides produced from the various natural triglyceride mixtures of fats and oils are acceptable products, this synthetic method provides these products in satisfactory quality while conserving energy and avoiding the intermediate production of free fatty acids or their esters.