2-(2-Methoxyethoxy)-, 2-[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]-, 2butoxy-, or 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)-ethanol was esterified hot with stearoyl chloride, the evolving HCl was removed with a water injector, the mixt. after the reaction was stirred I h at 80degreesC, and the resulting ester (yield 90-91%, selectivity 95 + %, acid no. 6.4-6.6 mg KOH/g) was washed with water until neutral and dehydrated at 110degreesC in N-2. Box-Benken's design experiments showed reaction temp. and reactant mote ratio to be optimum at 85-88degreesC and 1.05-1.07, resp.