This invention discloses an improved process which employs mixed alpha-olefins as feed over activated metallocene catalyst systems to provide essentially random liquid polymers particularly useful in lubricant components or as functional fluids

Processes are provided for producing hydrocarbon base oils from alcohols, including by converting one or more alcohols into linear alpha olefins, and then forming branched oligomers with one or more olefin feedstock(s) which are subsequently hydrogenated and fractionated. A process for the preparation of a mixture of branched saturated hydrocarbons can include (a) forming an oligomerization reaction mixture having an oligomerization catalyst system and an olefin monomer mixture, wherein the olefin monomer mixture has an average carbon number in the range of 9.5 to 13, and at least 10% of the olefin monomers in the olefin monomer mixture have a carbon number difference of at least four carbons, (b) oligomerizing the olefin monomers in the oligomerization reaction mixture to produce an oligomer product, (c) separating unreacted olefin monomer from the oligomer product to produce a purified oligomer product, (d) hydrogenating the purified oligomer product, and (e) distilling the hydrogenated oligomer product.

Processes are provided for producing hydrocarbon base oils from alcohols, including by converting one or more alcohols into linear alpha olefins, and then forming branched oligomers with one or more olefin feedstock(s) which are subsequently hydrogenated and fractionated. A process for the preparation of a mixture of branched saturated hydrocarbons can include (a) forming an oligomerization reaction mixture having an oligomerization catalyst system and an olefin monomer mixture, wherein the olefin monomer mixture has an average carbon number in the range of 9.5 to 13, and at least 10% of the olefin monomers in the olefin monomer mixture have a carbon number difference of at least four carbons, (b) oligomerizing the olefin monomers in the oligomerization reaction mixture to produce an oligomer product, (c) separating unreacted olefin monomer from the oligomer product to produce a purified oligomer product, (d) hydrogenating the purified oligomer product, and (e) distilling the hydrogenated oligomer product.

Methods are provided for producing Group III base stocks having high viscosity and also having one or more properties indicative of a high quality base stock. The resulting Group III base stocks can have a viscosity at 100 C. and/or a viscosity at 40 C. that is greater than the corresponding viscosity for a conventional Group III base stock. Additionally, the resulting Group III base stocks can have one or more properties that are indicative of a high quality base stock.

Methods are provided for producing Group III base stocks having high viscosity and also having one or more properties indicative of a high quality base stock. The resulting Group III base stocks can have a viscosity at 100 C. and/or a viscosity at 40 C. that is greater than the corresponding viscosity for a conventional Group III base stock. Additionally, the resulting Group III base stocks can have one or more properties that are indicative of a high quality base stock.

Methods are provided for producing Group I base stocks having high viscosity and also having one or more properties indicative of a high quality base stock. The resulting Group I base stocks can have a viscosity at 100? C. and/or a viscosity at 40? C. that is greater than the corresponding viscosity for a conventional Group I bright stock formed by solvent processing. Additionally, the resulting Group I base stocks can have one or more properties that are indicative of a high quality base stock.

Methods are provided for producing Group I base stocks having high viscosity and also having one or more properties indicative of a high quality base stock. The resulting Group I base stocks can have a viscosity at 100? C. and/or a viscosity at 40? C. that is greater than the corresponding viscosity for a conventional Group I bright stock formed by solvent processing. Additionally, the resulting Group I base stocks can have one or more properties that are indicative of a high quality base stock.

Methods are provided for producing Group II base stocks having high viscosity and also having one or more properties indicative of a high quality base stock. The resulting Group II base stocks can have a viscosity at 100? C. and/or a viscosity at 40? C. that is greater than the corresponding viscosity for a conventional Group II base stock. Additionally, the resulting Group II base stocks can have one or more properties that are indicative of a high quality base stock.

Methods are provided for producing Group II base stocks having high viscosity and also having one or more properties indicative of a high quality base stock. The resulting Group II base stocks can have a viscosity at 100? C. and/or a viscosity at 40? C. that is greater than the corresponding viscosity for a conventional Group II base stock. Additionally, the resulting Group II base stocks can have one or more properties that are indicative of a high quality base stock.

Methods are provided for producing Group I base stocks having high viscosity and also having one or more properties indicative of a high quality base stock. The resulting Group I base stocks can have a viscosity at 100? C. and/or a viscosity at 40? C. that is greater than the corresponding viscosity for a conventional Group I bright stock formed by solvent processing. Additionally, the resulting Group I base stocks can have one or more properties that are indicative of a high quality base stock.