SummaryThe alkali‐catalyzed reaction of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide with fatty acids was shown to be complex. Mono‐ and diesters were formed in comparable amounts even at an early stage when only about one equivalent of the cyclic ether had been condensed.The following compounds were isolated in a pure state: ethylene glycol monolaurate, ethylene glycol dilaurate, diethylene glycol dilaurate, ethylene glycol distearate, 1,2‐propylene glycol dilaurate, and 1,2‐propylene glycol distearate. A monoester from propylene oxide was shown to be a mixture of the 1‐and 2‐monolaurate [C11H23CO2CH2CHOHCH3 and C11H23CO2CH(CH3)CH2OH].