A branched estolide compound of the formula:

##STR00001##

wherein x and y are equal to 1 or greater;
wherein x+y=14;
wherein n is 0, 1, or greater than 1;
wherein R is H or wherein R=C1 to C18 straight alcohols or C4 to C12 branched alcohols;
wherein R.sub.1 is a residual fragment of octanoic, decanoic, lauric, coconut, myristic, palmitic, stearic, oleic, iso-stearic or iso-oleic acids.

Disclosed are compositions containing at least one of the following: (1) estolide polyethylene glycol diesters; (2) hydroxy derived estolide polyethylene glycol diesters; (3) unsaturated hydroxy derived estolide polyethylene glycol diesters; (4) estolide trimetholpropane diesters; (5) hydroxy derived estolide trimetholpropane diesters; (6) unsaturated hydroxy derived estolide trimetholpropane diesters; (7) estolide epoxide polyethylene glycol diesters; (8) estolide dihydroxide polyethylene glycol diesters; (9) mono-capped hydroxy derived estolide epoxide polyethylene glycol diesters; (10) mono-capped hydroxy derived estolide dihydroxide polyethylene glycol diesters;
and mixtures thereof; and optionally a carrier. All the compounds can be used as a viscosity index improver thereby improving a lubricant's performance.

Disclosed are compositions containing at least one of the following: (1) estolide polyethylene glycol diesters; (2) hydroxy derived estolide polyethylene glycol diesters; (3) unsaturated hydroxy derived estolide polyethylene glycol diesters; (4) estolide trimetholpropane diesters; (5) hydroxy derived estolide trimetholpropane diesters; (6) unsaturated hydroxy derived estolide trimetholpropane diesters; (7) estolide epoxide polyethylene glycol diesters; (8) estolide dihydroxide polyethylene glycol diesters; (9) mono-capped hydroxy derived estolide epoxide polyethylene glycol diesters; (10) mono-capped hydroxy derived estolide dihydroxide polyethylene glycol diesters;
and mixtures thereof; and optionally a carrier. All the compounds can be used as a viscosity index improver thereby improving a lubricant's performance.

The invention relates to ester compounds of the general formula (I)

##STR00001##

to a process for preparation thereof and to the use thereof. These ester compounds may contain a mixture of at least two compounds of the general formula (I).

The invention relates to ester compounds of the general formula (I)

##STR00001##

to a process for preparation thereof and to the use thereof. These ester compounds may contain a mixture of at least two compounds of the general formula (I).

The invention relates to ester compounds of the general formula (I)

##STR00001##

to a process for preparation thereof and to the use thereof. These ester compounds may contain a mixture of at least two compounds of the general formula (I).

Provided are processes for monitoring and maintaining continuous carbonylation of epoxides or lactones. Processes include measuring parameters affecting the rate of the carbonylation reaction and adding supplemental replacement catalyst replacement components to maintain a constant rate of carbonylation.

Provided are processes for monitoring and maintaining continuous carbonylation of epoxides or lactones. Processes include measuring parameters affecting the rate of the carbonylation reaction and adding supplemental replacement catalyst replacement components to maintain a constant rate of carbonylation.

Disclosed are compositions containing at least one of the following: (1) estolide polyethylene glycol diesters; (2) hydroxy derived estolide polyethylene glycol diesters; (3) unsaturated hydroxy derived estolide polyethylene glycol diesters; (4) estolide trimetholpropane diesters; (5) hydroxy derived estolide trimetholpropane diesters; (6) unsaturated hydroxy derived estolide trimetholpropane diesters; (7) estolide epoxide polyethylene glycol diesters; (8) estolide dihydroxide polyethylene glycol diesters; (9) mono-capped hydroxy derived estolide epoxide polyethylene glycol diesters; (10) mono-capped hydroxy derived estolide dihydroxide polyethylene glycol diesters;
and mixtures thereof; and optionally a carrier. All the compounds can be used as a viscosity index improver thereby improving a lubricant's performance.

Disclosed are compositions containing at least one of the following: (1) estolide polyethylene glycol diesters; (2) hydroxy derived estolide polyethylene glycol diesters; (3) unsaturated hydroxy derived estolide polyethylene glycol diesters; (4) estolide trimetholpropane diesters; (5) hydroxy derived estolide trimetholpropane diesters; (6) unsaturated hydroxy derived estolide trimetholpropane diesters; (7) estolide epoxide polyethylene glycol diesters; (8) estolide dihydroxide polyethylene glycol diesters; (9) mono-capped hydroxy derived estolide epoxide polyethylene glycol diesters; (10) mono-capped hydroxy derived estolide dihydroxide polyethylene glycol diesters;
and mixtures thereof; and optionally a carrier. All the compounds can be used as a viscosity index improver thereby improving a lubricant's performance.