A viscosity index improver containing, in non-ester diluent oil, one or more hydrogenated, functionalized linear block copolymers having at least one block derived from monoalkenyl arene covalently linked to at least one block derived from diene in an amount that is greater than the critical overlap concentration (c.sub.h*), in mass %, for the linear block copolymers in the diluent oil; and an amount of ester base stock.

The present invention relates to a lubricating mixture, which contains glycerides of natural origin and fatty acid alkyl esters. The glycerides are at least partly mono and/or diglycerides which form a mass fraction of 10% in the mixture. In a temperature range from 10 C. to at least 15 C. the mixture has a liquid phase with a solid fraction of 1 vol. %, which is formed from a fraction of glycerides and/or fatty acid alkyl esters. The mixture can be formed entirely from renewable raw materials, has a high viscosity index and is particularly suitable as a lubricant for use in gearings, electric motors or internal combustion engines.

The present invention relates to a lubricating mixture, which contains glycerides of natural origin and fatty acid alkyl esters. The glycerides are at least partly mono and/or diglycerides which form a mass fraction of 10% in the mixture. In a temperature range from 10 C. to at least 15 C. the mixture has a liquid phase with a solid fraction of 1 vol. %, which is formed from a fraction of glycerides and/or fatty acid alkyl esters. The mixture can be formed entirely from renewable raw materials, has a high viscosity index and is particularly suitable as a lubricant for use in gearings, electric motors or internal combustion engines.

The refrigerator oil of the present invention contains an oxygen-containing base oil and a viscosity index improver, and has a viscosity index (VI) of 200 or more and a volume resistivity of 110.sup.9 m or more.

A viscosity index improver containing, in diluent oil, one or more optionally functionalized linear block copolymers having at least one block derived from alkenyl arene covalently linked to at least one block derived from diene in an amount that is greater than the critical overlap concentration (c.sub.h*), in mass %, for the linear block copolymers in the diluent oil; and ester base stock and/or at least one star (or radial) polymer, the star polymer being present in an amount such that the c/c.sub.h* value of the star polymer in the concentrate falls within the range of from 0.01 to about 1.6, wherein c is the concentration in mass % of star polymer in the concentrate and c.sub.h* is the critical overlap concentration in mass % for the star polymer in the diluent oil used to form the concentrate.

A viscosity index improver containing, in diluent oil, one or more optionally functionalized linear block copolymers having at least one block derived from alkenyl arene covalently linked to at least one block derived from diene in an amount that is greater than the critical overlap concentration (c.sub.h*), in mass %, for the linear block copolymers in the diluent oil; and ester base stock and/or at least one star (or radial) polymer, the star polymer being present in an amount such that the c/c.sub.h* value of the star polymer in the concentrate falls within the range of from 0.01 to about 1.6, wherein c is the concentration in mass % of star polymer in the concentrate and c.sub.h* is the critical overlap concentration in mass % for the star polymer in the diluent oil used to form the concentrate.

A transesterification catalyst that is heterogeneous and a method for preparing said transesterification catalyst are provided. The catalyst can be used in a variety of transesterification reactor configurations including CSTR (continuous stirred tank reactors), ebullated (or ebullating) beds or any other fluidized bed reactors, and PFR (plug flow, fixed bed reactors). The catalyst can be used for manufacturing commercial grade biodiesel, biolubricants and glycerin.

A transesterification catalyst that is heterogeneous and a method for preparing said transesterification catalyst are provided. The catalyst can be used in a variety of transesterification reactor configurations including CSTR (continuous stirred tank reactors), ebullated (or ebullating) beds or any other fluidized bed reactors, and PFR (plug flow, fixed bed reactors). The catalyst can be used for manufacturing commercial grade biodiesel, biolubricants and glycerin.

Provided herein are estolide compositions having high oxidative stability, said compositions comprising at least one compound of formula:

##STR00001##

in which n is an integer equal to or greater than 0; m is an integer equal to or greater than 1; R.sub.1, independently for each occurrence, is selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; R.sub.2 is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4, independently for each occurrence, are selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched. Also provided herein are uses for the compositions and methods of preparing the same.

Provided herein are estolide compositions having high oxidative stability, said compositions comprising at least one compound of formula:

##STR00001##

in which n is an integer equal to or greater than 0; m is an integer equal to or greater than 1; R.sub.1, independently for each occurrence, is selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; R.sub.2 is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4, independently for each occurrence, are selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched. Also provided herein are uses for the compositions and methods of preparing the same.