Methyl oleate serves as a crucial raw material for the production of surfactants. Upon reaction with ethylene oxide, it yields fatty acid methyl ester ethoxylates (OMEE), which possess excellent emulsifying and detergency capabilities and are widely utilized in industrial cleaning and personal care products. Its reaction with monoethanolamine produces oleic acid monoethanolamide, a compound distinguished by its superior dispersing and lubricating properties. Furthermore, it finds application as a leather softener, a textile auxiliary, and a solvent for fragrances.
In the industrial sector, methyl oleate functions as a plasticizer for plastics, a toughening agent for resins, and a lubricant for non-fluorescent drilling fluids in petroleum exploration. As a primary constituent of biodiesel, methyl oleate represents a clean, renewable “green” energy source; endowed with excellent combustion performance and environmentally friendly characteristics, it serves as a viable substitute for fossil-fuel-based diesel.