A process for the preparation of saturated hydrocarbon base oils is provided, comprising oligomerization of a feed mixture that has an average carbon number in the range of 14 to 18 to produce an oligomer product comprising dimers, trimers, and higher oligomers, where the dimer has a branching proximity (BP) of 20 or greater, isomerization of at least the dimer portion, and hydrogenation of the isomerized product. The dimer portion is separated from the oligomer product, and a saturated hydrocarbon base oil is obtained comprising greater than 90% dimers having an average carbon number in the range of from 29 to 36, and the dimer portion having a weight average molecular weight in the range of 422 to 510, where the dimers have an average Branching Index (BI) in a range of 22 to 26 and an average paraffin branching proximity (BP) in a range of from 18 to 26.

Provided is a formed body containing at least one carbonate compound (A1) selected from Na.sub.2CO.sub.3 or K.sub.2CO.sub.3, the formed body having a volume of pores with a pore diameter of from 0.05 m to 10 m of from 0.10 mL/g to 0.30 mL/g and a crushing strength of from 1.8 kgf to 10.0 kgf.

Provided is a formed body containing at least one carbonate compound (A1) selected from Na.sub.2CO.sub.3 or K.sub.2CO.sub.3, the formed body having a volume of pores with a pore diameter of from 0.05 m to 10 m of from 0.10 mL/g to 0.30 mL/g and a crushing strength of from 1.8 kgf to 10.0 kgf.

Provided is a formed body containing at least one carbonate compound (A1) selected from Na.sub.2CO.sub.3 or K.sub.2CO.sub.3, the formed body having a volume of pores with a pore diameter of from 0.05 m to 10 m of from 0.10 mL/g to 0.30 mL/g and a crushing strength of from 1.8 kgf to 10.0 kgf.

A two-step process for the oligomerization and hydration of a mixed butenes feed is provided and is implemented in a two-stage system. The two-step process yields a product consisting of diisobutenes (DIBs) and mixed butanols. The DIBs are produced via the selective oligomerization of isobutene in a first stage and the mixed butanols are produced via the hydration, in a second stage, of mixed butenes that remain unreacted in the first stage.

A two-step process for the oligomerization and hydration of a mixed butenes feed is provided and is implemented in a two-stage system. The two-step process yields a product consisting of diisobutenes (DIBs) and mixed butanols. The DIBs are produced via the selective oligomerization of isobutene in a first stage and the mixed butanols are produced via the hydration, in a second stage, of mixed butenes that remain unreacted in the first stage.

C.sub.20 trisubstituted olefins are produced from C.sub.20 2-substituted alpha olefins, which are produced from branched C.sub.10 olefins.

C.sub.20 trisubstituted olefins are produced from C.sub.20 2-substituted alpha olefins, which are produced from branched C.sub.10 olefins.