Preparation of Oleic Acid Monoethanolamide

350 g of oleic acid (61.5 mols), 1,880 g of monoethanolamine (30.8 mols) and 500- mL. of 11.7 per cent strength sodium methylate solution were heated to 150-160 ° C in a stirred vessel of 40 L. capacity and 1,400 of water and methanol (from the catalyst solution) were collected whilst passing a weak stream of nitrogen into the mixture. After 8 hours, a further 1,880 g of monoethanolamine (30.8 mols) were added and the mixture was again heated for a further 8 hours at 150—160° C. 

The reaction product was (as an oleic acid derivative) very light-coloured and consisted of  

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