Disclosed are multifunctional compounds represented by structural formula (I):

##STR00001##

methods of producing compounds represented by structural formula (I) and their use in inhibiting corrosion in corrodible material.

The use as a valve deposit controlling additive in a fuel composition for a direct injection spark-ignition internal combustion engine of a combination of: a) at least one hydrocarbyl-substituted aromatic compound; and b) at least one polyalkylene amine.

The use as a valve deposit controlling additive in a fuel composition for a direct injection spark-ignition internal combustion engine of a combination of: a) at least one hydrocarbyl-substituted aromatic compound; and b) at least one polyalkylene amine.

The invention relates to aqueous polymer dispersions comprising at least one polymer obtainable by the reaction of at least one monomer M1 of the general formula (I): H.sub.2C═CH—C(O)OR, wherein R is an unbranched alkyl chain comprising from 18 to 22 carbon atoms, and optionally at least one monomer M2. The invention relates moreover to a method for the preparing of such aqueous polymer dispersion and the use thereof as pour point depressant for crude oil, petroleum, and petroleum products.

A method of inhibiting asphaltene precipitation and/or deposition in a hydrocarbon, preferably crude oil, by adding to the hydrocarbon a polyester asphaltene dispersing agent which is the reaction product of an alk(en)yl substituted succinic anhydride wherein the average number of succinic groups per alk(en)yl group is less than 2.0, and at least one polyol.

A method of inhibiting asphaltene precipitation and/or deposition in a hydrocarbon, preferably crude oil, by adding to the hydrocarbon a polyester asphaltene dispersing agent which is the reaction product of an alk(en)yl substituted succinic anhydride wherein the average number of succinic groups per alk(en)yl group is less than 2.0, and at least one polyol.

Disclosed herein is a fluid flow improver comprising a branched dendritic core comprising a first quaternary carbon center bonded to four second carbon atoms, wherein at least three of the four second carbon atoms are individually bonded to one or more chain extender ligands to produce the branched dendritic core, wherein the branched dendritic core has greater than or equal to about 16 terminal hydroxyl groups, and wherein at least one of the terminal hydroxyl groups is esterified with at least one carboxylic acid moiety comprising from 6 to 30 carbon atoms. Methods of inhibiting deposition of paraffin and reducing pour point temperature of a hydrocarbon fluid are also disclosed.

The present technology is related to imide containing quaternary ammonium salts having a hydrocarbyl substituent of number average molecular weight less 300, and additive packages having such quaternary ammonium salts and improved stability.

A quaternary ammonium salt of formula wherein each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 is independently selected from an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl or aryl group having less than 8 carbon atoms and R.sup.5 is hydrogen or an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group.

##STR00001##

A biodiesel composition comprising a stabilization agent is disclosed. The stabilization agent comprises depolymerized lignin having a weight average molecular weight of at least 360 g/mol and at most 5000 g/mol, and the TEAC value of the depolymerized lignin is at most 50% of the TEAC value of a corresponding lignin before having been depolymerized, and wherein the weight average molecular weight of the depolymerized lignin is at most 60% of the weight average molecular weight of the corresponding lignin.