This invention relates to a functional fluid, comprising: (A) from 50 to 85 wt.-% of alkoxy glycol according to formula (I): CH.sub.3—O—(CH.sub.2—CH.sub.2—O).sub.n—H, wherein n is a number from 2 to 5, with the proviso that in at least 30 wt.-% of all compounds according to formula (I), n is 3, and (B) from 1 to 20 wt.-% of alkoxy glycol according to formula (II): R.sub.1—O—(CH.sub.2—CH.sub.2—O).sub.m—H, wherein R.sub.1 is a C2 to C8 alkyl residue, m is a number from 2 to 6, with the proviso that in at least 65 wt.-% of all compounds according to formula (II), m is 3, and (C) from 6 to 35 wt.-% of at least one compound according to formula (III): H—O—(CH.sub.2—CH.sub.2—O).sub.k—H, wherein k is a number of 2 or higher, with the proviso that in at least 80 wt.-% of all compounds according to formula (III), k is 2 or 3, (D) at least one additive.

The present invention is toward a base oil or lubricant additives, methods of using the same, lubricant compositions including the same, and methods of forming the lubricant compositions. A base oil or lubricant additive has Structure I or Structure II as described herein.

A compound of formula (I):

##STR00001## wherein W is independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, and I; X is independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, and I; Y is independently selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, and I; Z is independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, and I; n is an integer from 1 to 8; and n′ is an integer from 1 to 12.

A compound of formula (I):

##STR00001## wherein W is independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, and I; X is independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, and I; Y is independently selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, and I; Z is independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, and I; n is an integer from 1 to 8; and n′ is an integer from 1 to 12.

Provided is a lubricant composition including a bicyclic liquid crystal of formula (1), tricyclic liquid crystal compounds of formula (2), and formula (3). The composition is suitable for use in a clean environment, under a high vacuum, under high temperature and a bearing.

##STR00001##

R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different from each other, and each is —OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH(R′)CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OR.

##STR00002##

R.sup.11 and R.sup.21 are the same or different from each other, and each is —OR. R.sup.12, R.sup.13, R.sup.22 and R.sup.23 are the same or different from each other, and each is hydrogen or a group —OR.

##STR00003##

R.sup.31 and R.sup.41 are the same or different from each other, and each is —OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH(R′)CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OR. R.sup.32, R.sup.33, R.sup.42, and R.sup.43 are the same or different from each other, and each is hydrogen or —OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH(R′)CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OR. R is a linear or branched C.sub.nH.sub.2n+1, 1≤n≤20, and R′ is methyl or ethyl.

Provided is a lubricant composition including a bicyclic liquid crystal of formula (1), tricyclic liquid crystal compounds of formula (2), and formula (3). The composition is suitable for use in a clean environment, under a high vacuum, under high temperature and a bearing.

##STR00001##

R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different from each other, and each is —OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH(R′)CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OR.

##STR00002##

R.sup.11 and R.sup.21 are the same or different from each other, and each is —OR. R.sup.12, R.sup.13, R.sup.22 and R.sup.23 are the same or different from each other, and each is hydrogen or a group —OR.

##STR00003##

R.sup.31 and R.sup.41 are the same or different from each other, and each is —OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH(R′)CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OR. R.sup.32, R.sup.33, R.sup.42, and R.sup.43 are the same or different from each other, and each is hydrogen or —OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH(R′)CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OR. R is a linear or branched C.sub.nH.sub.2n+1, 1≤n≤20, and R′ is methyl or ethyl.

This is to provide an electrically-conductive lubricant having characteristics in combination that it shows liquid crystallinity in a wide temperature range, retains low dynamic friction coefficient, has electrical-conductivity, has almost no loss due to evaporation, decomposition and the like, has a clean appearance, and emits fluorescence, and can find deterioration or leakage immediately. This electrically-conductive lubricant comprises at least one kind of the compound (1) represented by the formula (1): ##STR00001##
12:8 wherein, R.sup.11 and R.sup.21 are the same or different from each other, and each is hydrogen or a group —OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH(R′)CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OR (R is a linear or branched C.sub.nH.sub.2n+1, 4≤n≤12, and R′ is methyl or ethyl), and R.sup.12, R.sup.13, R.sup.22 and R.sup.23 are the same or different from each other, and each is a group —OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH(R′)CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OR (R is a linear or branched C.sub.nH.sub.2n+1, 4≤n≤12, and R′ is methyl or ethyl)].

This is to provide an electrically-conductive lubricant having characteristics in combination that it shows liquid crystallinity in a wide temperature range, retains low dynamic friction coefficient, has electrical-conductivity, has almost no loss due to evaporation, decomposition and the like, has a clean appearance, and emits fluorescence, and can find deterioration or leakage immediately. This electrically-conductive lubricant comprises at least one kind of the compound (1) represented by the formula (1): ##STR00001##
12:8 wherein, R.sup.11 and R.sup.21 are the same or different from each other, and each is hydrogen or a group —OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH(R′)CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OR (R is a linear or branched C.sub.nH.sub.2n+1, 4≤n≤12, and R′ is methyl or ethyl), and R.sup.12, R.sup.13, R.sup.22 and R.sup.23 are the same or different from each other, and each is a group —OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH(R′)CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OR (R is a linear or branched C.sub.nH.sub.2n+1, 4≤n≤12, and R′ is methyl or ethyl)].

The present invention relates to a selective process for preparing acetals or ethers. In particular, the process involves a selective catalytic hydrogenolysis of a trihydrocarbyl orthoesterso as to control the extent of dealcoholation to afford either the corresponding acetal or ether product. Ether products preparable by means of the present invention include ethers which are suitable for use as base stocks in lubricating compositions.

Compositions for decreasing friction may comprise an optional carrier fluid, and one or more reaction products. The one or more reaction products may be formable from Component 1 and Component 2; and an acid and water combined therewith after one or more initial reaction products have formed. A, B and D are independently branched or unbranched, cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated C.sub.1-C.sub.100 hydrocarbyl groups. Z is a nucleophilic group selected from OH, SH and NH.sub.2, and X is a leaving group. Downhole methods may comprise introducing a wellbore fluid comprising the reaction product(s) into a subterranean formation.