A composition including one or more monomethyl ester compounds represented by the formula: ##STR00001##
R.sub.1 is a monomethyl branched C.sub.15 to C.sub.19 alkyl group and R.sub.2 is an unsubstituted C.sub.2 to C.sub.30 linear alkyl group. The composition has a viscosity (Kv.sub.100) from 1 cSt to 10 cSt at 100 C. as determined by ASTM D445, a viscosity index (VI) from 100 to 300 as determined by ASTM D2270, a pour point from 0 C. to 50 C. as determined by ASTM D97, and a Noack volatility of no greater than 50 percent as determined by ASTM D5800. A process for producing the composition, a lubricating oil base stock and lubricating oil containing the composition, and a method for improving one or more of cold flow properties, thermal and oxidative stability, solubility and dispersancy of polar additives, deposit control and traction control in a lubricating oil by using as the lubricating oil a formulated oil containing the composition.

This disclosure relates to compositions that include one or more aromatic monoesters derived from branched Guerbet alcohols and aromatic acids, or from branched Guerbet acids and aromatic alcohols. The compositions are suitable as lubricant base stocks.

A lubricant base oil of the present invention includes an ester compound including: a structural moiety (A) that is derived from an alcohol compound (A); and a structural moiety (B) that is derived from a carboxylic acid, the structural moiety B including: a structural moiety (B1) that is derived from a monocarboxylic acid (B1); and a structural moiety (B2) that is derived from an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid (B2) having 4 or more and 18 or less carbon atoms. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a lubricant base oil having excellent low-temperature stability and high heat resistance while maintaining torque-lowering properties.

A lubricating oil base stock including one or more monoesters represented by the formula (I), (II), (III) and (IV) as defined herein. The lubricating oil base stock has a high temperature high shear (HTHS) viscosity of less than about 1.7 cP as determined by ASTM D4683, and a Noack volatility from about 15 to about 90 percent as determined by ASTM D5800. A lubricating oil containing the lubricating oil base stock including one or more monoesters represented by the formula (I), (II), (III) and (IV) as defined herein. A method for improving one or more of thermal and oxidative stability, solubility and dispersancy of polar additives, deposit control and traction control in a lubricating oil by using as the lubricating oil a formulated oil containing the lubricating oil base stock including one or more monoesters represented by the formula (I), (II), (III) and (IV) as defined herein.

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a lubricating oil composition having excellent heat resistance (suppression of discoloration in heating) and tackiness while maintaining excellent viscosity properties of a lubricating oil composition using a ricinolic acid polymer. The present invention provides a copolymer (B) containing structural units (a) derived from ricinolic acid, structural units (b) derived from an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid and structural units (c) derived from a diol having 2 to 10 carbon atoms in a specific ratio and having a specific intrinsic viscosity, and provides a lubricating oil composition containing a base oil and the copolymer (B) and having a mass ratio (mass of (A) /mass of (B)) of the base oil (A) to the copolymer (B) of 60/40 to 99.5/0.5.

A composition including one or more aromatic alkanoate monoester compounds represented by the formulae (I) and (II) as defined herein. The composition has a viscosity (Kv.sub.100) from about 1 cSt to about 10 cSt at 100 C. as determined by ASTM D445, a viscosity index (VI) from about 100 to about 300 as determined by ASTM D2270, and a Noack volatility of no greater than 50 percent as determined by ASTM D5800. A process for producing the composition, a lubricating oil base stock and lubricating oil containing the composition, and a method for improving one or more of thermal and oxidative stability, solubility and dispersancy of polar additives, deposit control and traction control in a lubricating oil by using as the lubricating oil a formulated oil containing the composition.

A composition including one or more monomethyl ester compounds represented by the formula:

##STR00001##

R.sub.1 is a monomethyl branched C.sub.15 to C.sub.19 alkyl group and R.sub.2 is an unsubstituted C.sub.2 to C.sub.30 linear alkyl group. The composition has a viscosity (Kv.sub.100) from 1 cSt to 10 cSt at 100 C. as determined by ASTM D445, a viscosity index (VI) from 100 to 300 as determined by ASTM D2270, a pour point from 0 C. to 50 C. as determined by ASTM D97, and a Noack volatility of no greater than 50 percent as determined by ASTM D5800. A process for producing the composition, a lubricating oil base stock and lubricating oil containing the composition, and a method for improving one or more of cold flow properties, thermal and oxidative stability, solubility and dispersancy of polar additives, deposit control and traction control in a lubricating oil by using as the lubricating oil a formulated oil containing the composition.

Provided is a grease containing a base oil and a hydrophilic nanofiber, the hydrophilic nanofiber having a thickness (d) of 0.01 to 500 nm being dispersed therein. The grease is low in an environmental load and excellent in safety on the human body and also has an appropriate worked penetration and has a high dropping point, and therefore, it is also excellent in heat resistance.

A composition including one or more aromatic alkanoate monoester compounds represented by the formulae (I) and (II) as defined herein. The composition has a viscosity (Kv.sub.100) from about 1 cSt to about 10 cSt at 100 C. as determined by ASTM D445, a viscosity index (VI) from about 100 to about 300 as determined by ASTM D2270, and a Noack volatility of no greater than 50 percent as determined by ASTM D5800. A process for producing the composition, a lubricating oil base stock and lubricating oil containing the composition, and a method for improving one or more of thermal and oxidative stability, solubility and dispersancy of polar additives, deposit control and traction control in a lubricating oil by using as the lubricating oil a formulated oil containing the composition.

A lubricating oil base stock including one or more monoesters represented by the formula (I), (II), (III) and (IV) as defined herein. The lubricating oil base stock has a high temperature high shear (HTHS) viscosity of less than about 1.7 cP as determined by ASTM D4683, and a Noack volatility from about 15 to about 90 percent as determined by ASTM D5800. A lubricating oil containing the lubricating oil base stock including one or more monoesters represented by the formula (I), (II), (III) and (IV) as defined herein. A method for improving one or more of thermal and oxidative stability, solubility and dispersancy of polar additives, deposit control and traction control in a lubricating oil by using as the lubricating oil a formulated oil containing the lubricating oil base stock including one or more monoesters represented by the formula (I), (II), (III) and (IV) as defined herein.