Esters of O-substituted hydroxy carboxylic acids are provided having Formula 1, or 2, or both Formulas 1 and 2: wherein R and R1 are independently selected from the group consisting of substituted and unsubstituted, branched- and straight-chain, saturated, unsaturated, and polyunsaturated C1-C22 alkyl, substituted and unsubstituted C3-C8 cycloalkyl, substituted and unsubstituted C6-C20 carbocyclic aryl, and substituted and unsubstituted C4-C20 heterocyclic; wherein the heteroatoms are selected from sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen; and wherein n is 1-6. Process of producing esters of O-substituted hydroxy carboxylic acids are also provided.