The dehydration experiment was carried out using industrial grade sorbitol as raw material,and sodium phosphite monohydrate and phosphorous acid as reaction catalysts.The esterification reaction was carried out using the prepared 1,4-dehydration sorbitan and caprylic acid as raw materials,and zinc oxide as catalyst.Finally,the discolorization reaction was carried out by addition of hydrogen peroxide.The influence of reaction conditions and catalyst selection on the reaction system was investigated,and the sorbitan caprylate was prepared according to the optimal reaction process conditions and characterized by high performance liquid chromatography and infrared spectrum.The results showed that when zinc oxide was used as esterification catalyst and the esterification temperature was 230 ℃,the obtained dehydration sorbitan had lighter color and higher monoester content.The mass fraction of sorbitan caprylate monoester was 65.73%,and the acid value was 4.68 mg/g.The specifications of the self-made sorbitan caprylate were superior to those of the market product in color and monoester content,and it can be used as the synergistic additive for the anti-corrosion.