Provided herein is a unique process that prepares a saturated hydrocarbon mixture with well-controlled structural characteristics that address the performance requirements driven by the stricter environmental and fuel economy regulations for automotive engine oils. The process allows for the branching characteristics of the hydrocarbon molecules to be controlled so as to consistently provide a composition that has a surprising CCS viscosity at −35° C. (ASTM D5329) and Noack volatility (ASTM D5800) relationship. The process comprises providing a specific olefinic feedstock, oligomerizing in the presence of a BF.sub.3 catalyst, and hydroisomerizing in the presence of a noble-metal impregnated, 10-member ring zeolite catalyst.

Provided herein is a unique process that prepares a saturated hydrocarbon mixture with well-controlled structural characteristics that address the performance requirements driven by the stricter environmental and fuel economy regulations for automotive engine oils. The process allows for the branching characteristics of the hydrocarbon molecules to be controlled so as to consistently provide a composition that has a surprising CCS viscosity at −35° C. (ASTM D5329) and Noack volatility (ASTM D5800) relationship. The process comprises providing a specific olefinic feedstock, oligomerizing in the presence of a BF.sub.3 catalyst, and hydroisomerizing in the presence of a noble-metal impregnated, 10-member ring zeolite catalyst.

Described herein is a base oil synthesis via ionic catalyst oligomerization further utilizing a hydrophobic process for removing an ionic catalyst from a reaction mixture with a silica gel composition, specifically a reaction mixture comprising an oligomerization reaction to produce PAO utilizing an ionic catalyst wherein the ionic catalyst is removed post reaction.

Described herein is a base oil synthesis via ionic catalyst oligomerization further utilizing a hydrophobic process for removing an ionic catalyst from a reaction mixture with a silica gel composition, specifically a reaction mixture comprising an oligomerization reaction to produce PAO utilizing an ionic catalyst wherein the ionic catalyst is removed post reaction.

Improved systems and methods for producing propylene from olefins including isobutylene is disclosed. The improvements combine streams containing co-produced 1-butene, 2-butene, butadiene, and heavy olefins (C5+) exiting both a metathesis reactor and a skeletal isomerization reactor in a gasoline fractionation tower to remove the heavy olefins. The C4-containing distillate from the gasoline fractionation tower is then fed to a hydroisomerization unit to form mono-olefins and 2-butene. The resulting 2-butene rich stream can then be utilized in metathesis reactions to increase the production of propylene while increasing the lifetime of the metathesis catalyst.

Improved systems and methods for producing propylene from olefins including isobutylene is disclosed. The improvements combine streams containing co-produced 1-butene, 2-butene, butadiene, and heavy olefins (C5+) exiting both a metathesis reactor and a skeletal isomerization reactor in a gasoline fractionation tower to remove the heavy olefins. The C4-containing distillate from the gasoline fractionation tower is then fed to a hydroisomerization unit to form mono-olefins and 2-butene. The resulting 2-butene rich stream can then be utilized in metathesis reactions to increase the production of propylene while increasing the lifetime of the metathesis catalyst.

In a process for producing a methyl-substituted biphenyl compound, at least one methyl-substituted cyclohexylbenzene compound of the formula: ##STR00001##
wherein each of m and n is independently 1, 2, or 3, is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to produce a hydrogenation reaction product comprising at least one methyl-substituted bicyclohexane compound, and the methyl-substituted bicyclohexane compound is then contacted with a dehydrogenation catalyst to produce a dehydrogenation reaction product comprising at least one methyl-substituted biphenyl compound.

In a process for producing a methyl-substituted biphenyl compound, at least one methyl-substituted cyclohexylbenzene compound of the formula: ##STR00001##
wherein each of m and n is independently 1, 2, or 3, is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to produce a hydrogenation reaction product comprising at least one methyl-substituted bicyclohexane compound, and the methyl-substituted bicyclohexane compound is then contacted with a dehydrogenation catalyst to produce a dehydrogenation reaction product comprising at least one methyl-substituted biphenyl compound.

A method of producing a fuel additive includes passing a feed stream comprising C.sub.4 hydrocarbons through a first hydrogenation unit producing a first process stream; passing the first process stream through a distillation unit; withdrawing a 2-butene stream from the distillation unit: passing the 2-butene stream through a second hydrogenation unit producing a 1-butene stream; passing at least a portion of the 1-butene stream through a separation unit; and passing the 1-butene stream through a hydration unit producing the fuel additive.

A method of producing a fuel additive includes passing a feed stream comprising C.sub.4 hydrocarbons through a first hydrogenation unit producing a first process stream; passing the first process stream through a distillation unit; withdrawing a 2-butene stream from the distillation unit: passing the 2-butene stream through a second hydrogenation unit producing a 1-butene stream; passing at least a portion of the 1-butene stream through a separation unit; and passing the 1-butene stream through a hydration unit producing the fuel additive.