Provided herein are processes for preparing estolides and estolide base oils from fatty acid reactants utilizing catalysts. Further provided herein are processes for preparing carboxylic esters from at least one carboxylic acid reactant and at least one olefin.

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.

Provided herein are processes for preparing estolides and estolide base oils from fatty acid reactants utilizing catalysts. Further provided herein are processes for preparing carboxylic esters from at least one carboxylic acid reactant and at least one olefin.

Implementations of the disclosed subject matter provide a lubricating composition for use as a transmission fluid in an electric vehicle. The lubricating composition may include at least 70 wt %, based on the overall weight of the lubricating composition, of a biodegradable ester base oil with a kinematic viscosity at 100 C. in the range of 2.5 to 7.0 mm.sup.2/s. The ester is biodegradable according to OECD test guidelines series 301. The composition may also include at least 0.5 wt % and no more than 10 wt %, based on the overall weight of the lubricating composition, of a viscosity index improver which is at least one high viscosity ester with a kinematic viscosity at 100 C. of at least 1000 mm.sup.2/s; an anti-foam additive selected from silicone oil based antifoam additives and polyacrylate antifoam additives. Also disclosed is a process for lubricating an electric vehicle drive train comprising a transmission by applying the lubricating composition to the transmission.

Provided herein are grease compositions comprising at least one estolide 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 2; 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 are methods of making estolide-based grease products.

Provided herein are grease compositions comprising at least one estolide 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 2; 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 are methods of making estolide-based grease products.

Provided herein are compounds of the formula:

##STR00001##

in which n is an integer equal to or greater than 1; R.sub.2 is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; and R.sub.1, 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, wherein compositions comprising the compounds are characterized by particular combinations of values for estolide number, kinematic viscosity, and pour point. Also provided are compositions containing the compounds and methods of making both the compounds and compositions thereof.

Provided herein are methods of making estolide base oils, including those having a high kinematic viscosity. In certain embodiments, an ultra high-viscosity estolide base oil is prepared from hydroxy fatty acids derived from the hydrolysis of a first estolide base oil.

Provided herein are compounds of the formula: ##STR00001##
in which n is an integer equal to or greater than 1; R.sub.2 is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; and R.sub.1, 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, wherein compositions comprising the compounds are characterized by particular combinations of values for estolide number, kinematic viscosity, and pour point. Also provided are compositions containing the compounds and methods of making both the compounds and compositions thereof.

A biodegradable compressor oil comprising a biobased hydrocarbon base oil.