A new emulsifier is synthesized by using sorbitol polyoxyethylene ether(20),dimer acid and 12-hydroxystearic acid.The type of catalyst,the amount of catalyst,reaction temperature,reaction time and the ratio of fatty acids on the acid value,saponification value,product color and emulsifying capacity of the product are investigated.The results show that the emulsifier obtained by vacuum esterification method has lighter color and better emulsifying property than Tween 80 and span-80 when monobutyltin oxide is used as the catalyst,and the catalyst amount is 1%of the reactant mass,the reaction temperature is 150℃,the reaction time is 5 h,and the molar ratio of hydrodimeric acid to 12-hydroxy-stearic acid is 7 to 3.Because the emulsifier does not contain carbon-carbon double bonds in its structure,it has good thermal stability and yellowing resistance,and is especially suitable for emulsification systems with high working temperature and high requirements for product color.