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.

This application relates to branched diester compositions that can be used as a base stock for lubricant applications, or as a base stock blend component for use in a finished lubricant or for particular applications, and methods for making the same.

This application relates to branched diester compositions that can be used as a base stock for lubricant applications, or as a base stock blend component for use in a finished lubricant or for particular applications, and methods for making the same.

To provide a composition for a heat cycle system having favorable lubricating properties and comprising a working fluid for heat cycle which has a low global warming potential and which can replace R410A and a heat cycle system employing the composition. A composition for a heat cycle system comprising a working fluid for heat cycle containing trifluoroethylene, and a refrigerant oil (for example, an ester refrigerant oil, an ether refrigerant oil, a polyglycol refrigerant oil or a hydrocarbon refrigerant oil), and a heat cycle system employing the composition for a heat cycle system.

Provided herein are compositions comprising at least one estolide compound of formula:

##STR00001##

in which n is an integer equal to or greater than 0; m is an integer equal to or greater than 1; R.sub.1, independently for each occurrence, is selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; R.sub.2 is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4, independently for each occurrence, are selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched. Also provided are uses of the compositions described herein.

Provided herein are compositions comprising at least one estolide compound of formula:

##STR00001##

in which n is an integer equal to or greater than 0; m is an integer equal to or greater than 1; R.sub.1, independently for each occurrence, is selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; R.sub.2 is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4, independently for each occurrence, are selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched. Also provided are uses of the compositions described herein.

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.

To provide a composition for a heat cycle system having favorable lubricating properties and comprising a working fluid for heat cycle which has a low global warming potential and which can replace R410A and a heat cycle system employing the composition. A composition for a heat cycle system comprising a working fluid for heat cycle containing trifluoroethylene, and a refrigerant oil (for example, an ester refrigerant oil, an ether refrigerant oil, a polyglycol refrigerant oil or a hydrocarbon refrigerant oil), and a heat cycle system employing the composition for a heat cycle system.

To provide a composition for a heat cycle system having favorable lubricating properties and comprising a working fluid for heat cycle which has a low global warming potential and which can replace R410A and a heat cycle system employing the composition. A composition for a heat cycle system comprising a working fluid for heat cycle containing trifluoroethylene, and a refrigerant oil (for example, an ester refrigerant oil, an ether refrigerant oil, a polyglycol refrigerant oil or a hydrocarbon refrigerant oil), and a heat cycle system employing the composition for a heat cycle system.