Synthesis and characterization of tetrahydroxyjojoba wax and ferulates of jojoba oil

The new crop oil from jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) is a skin-softener similar to sperm whale oil. In an effort to find new uses of this oil, we have converted jojoba liquid wax into two new products in mild chemical processes. Tetrahydroxyjojoba wax (THJF) is a colorless, stable, low-melting solid and jojoba ferulate, an ultra violet (UV) absorbing species by esterification of the tetrahydroxy wax with trans-4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid. The tetrahydroxyjojoba wax like the parent oil has no UV radiation absorbing property, but it is an excellent emollient. In contrast, the jojoba ferulate is a good UV absorber. Differential scanning calorimetry of the ferulate, its precursor, the tetrahydroxyjojoba wax, and the acetylated jojobaferulate derivatives indicate very stable properties from ambient to 100 °C temperature range.