A lubricant base oil composed of an ester. The ester includes a component (A) derived from trimethylolpropane in a molar percentage A.sub.mol % of 25 to 42 mol %; components (B) derived from monovalent straight-chain saturated fatty acids each having a carbon number of 8 to 12 in a molar percentage B.sub.mol % of 33 to 55 mol %: and a component (C) derived from adipic acid in a molar ratio C.sub.mol % of 12 to 34 mol %. The components (B) include lauric acid in a molar percentage of 5 to 50 mol %, and (B.sub.COOH+C.sub.COOH)/A.sub.OH is 0.90 to 1.02. A.sub.OH represents a hydroxyl equivalent of the component (A), B.sub.COOH represents a carboxyl group equivalent of the components (B); and C.sub.COOH represents a carboxyl group equivalent of the component (C).

A lubricant base oil composed of an ester. The ester includes a component (A) derived from trimethylolpropane in a molar percentage A.sub.mol % of 25 to 42 mol %; components (B) derived from monovalent straight-chain saturated fatty acids each having a carbon number of 8 to 12 in a molar percentage B.sub.mol % of 33 to 55 mol %: and a component (C) derived from adipic acid in a molar ratio C.sub.mol % of 12 to 34 mol %. The components (B) include lauric acid in a molar percentage of 5 to 50 mol %, and (B.sub.COOH+C.sub.COOH)/A.sub.OH is 0.90 to 1.02. A.sub.OH represents a hydroxyl equivalent of the component (A), B.sub.COOH represents a carboxyl group equivalent of the components (B); and C.sub.COOH represents a carboxyl group equivalent of the component (C).

A lubricant base oil which contains an ester. The ester constituting the lubricant base oil includes: a component (A) derived from pentaerythritol in a molar percentage A.sub.mol % of 20 to 30 mol %; a component (B) derived from a straight-chain fatty acid having a carbon number of 14 to 22 in a molar percentage B.sub.mol % of 55 to 79 mol %; and a component (C) derived from adipic acid in a molar percentage C.sub.mol % of 1 to 15 mol %. A molar ratio (C.sub.mol/C.sub.mol) of the component (C) derived from adipic acid and the component (B) derived from the straight-chain fatty acid having a carbon number of 14 to 22 is 0.02 to 0.25, and the ester has a hydroxyl value of 10 to 100 mgKOH/g.

A lubricant base oil which contains an ester. The ester constituting the lubricant base oil includes: a component (A) derived from pentaerythritol in a molar percentage A.sub.mol % of 20 to 30 mol %; a component (B) derived from a straight-chain fatty acid having a carbon number of 14 to 22 in a molar percentage B.sub.mol % of 55 to 79 mol %; and a component (C) derived from adipic acid in a molar percentage C.sub.mol % of 1 to 15 mol %. A molar ratio (C.sub.mol/C.sub.mol) of the component (C) derived from adipic acid and the component (B) derived from the straight-chain fatty acid having a carbon number of 14 to 22 is 0.02 to 0.25, and the ester has a hydroxyl value of 10 to 100 mgKOH/g.

A base oil includes an ester compound obtained by reacting a fatty acid component and a monohydric alcohol component. The fatty acid component includes a C.sub.4-C.sub.28 fatty acid. The monohydric alcohol component includes at least one C.sub.4-C.sub.22 straight chain monohydric alcohol and at least one C.sub.4-C.sub.22 branched chain monohydric alcohol. A lubricant oil composition including the base oil is also disclosed.

The invention relates to novel ester compounds of the general formula (I)

##STR00001##

to a process for preparation thereof and to the use thereof. These ester compounds may contain a mixture of at least two compounds of the general formula (I).

The invention relates to novel ester compounds of the general formula (I)

##STR00001##

to a process for preparation thereof and to the use thereof. These ester compounds may contain a mixture of at least two compounds of the general formula (I).

Ester compounds, such as for use in a lubricant, are based on di-, tri- or higher functional carboxylic acids according to formula (I)

##STR00001##

Ester compounds, such as for use in a lubricant, are based on di-, tri- or higher functional carboxylic acids according to formula (I)

##STR00001##

Levulinic-capped estolides having improved physical properties that make them more desirable and suitable as bio-based industrial or commercial products are disclosed. The physical properties of the disclosed estolide compositions have surprisingly low pour points that are substantially lower than previously known estolide compounds and superior to petroleum-based compounds designed for similar applications.