This invention relates to a functional fluid, comprising (A) from 70 to 90, preferably 75-87 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 that 15 to 65 wt.-% of all compounds according to formula (I) have n=4 or 5, and (B) less than 1.0 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 C.sub.2 to C.sub.8 alkyl residue, m is a number from 2 to 6, (C) from 8 to 25, preferably 12-23 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, selected from the group consisting of corrosion inhibitors, alkalinity agents, aging protection agents, defoamers and lubricants, the lubricants being selected from the group consisting of propylene oxide containing alkylene oxide polymers that are optionally substituted with a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl group, triglycerides, castor oil, ricinoleic acid, and ethoxylates of castor oil or ricinoleic acid, and mixtures thereof, the fluid comprising at most 3 wt.-% of an ester between boric acid and a glycol or alkylpolyglycol compound.

This invention relates to a functional fluid, comprising (A) from 70 to 90, preferably 75-87 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 that 15 to 65 wt.-% of all compounds according to formula (I) have n=4 or 5, and (B) less than 1.0 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 C.sub.2 to C.sub.8 alkyl residue, m is a number from 2 to 6, (C) from 8 to 25, preferably 12-23 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, selected from the group consisting of corrosion inhibitors, alkalinity agents, aging protection agents, defoamers and lubricants, the lubricants being selected from the group consisting of propylene oxide containing alkylene oxide polymers that are optionally substituted with a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl group, triglycerides, castor oil, ricinoleic acid, and ethoxylates of castor oil or ricinoleic acid, and mixtures thereof, the fluid comprising at most 3 wt.-% of an ester between boric acid and a glycol or alkylpolyglycol compound.

Provided are a lubricant composition which is advantageous in that, when applied to a contact area of metal parts, the lubricant composition can suppress generation of rust and can exhibit excellent lubricating performance, and a bearing the lubricant composition having sealed therein. A lubricant composition comprising at least one dicyclic liquid crystal compound represented by the following formula (1), at least one tricyclic liquid crystal compound represented by the following formula (2), and halogen ions, wherein the content of the halogen ions in the lubricant composition is 1 to 900 ppm.

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A lubricating oil composition may be suitable for a refrigerator and have excellent thermal stability when used with a refrigerant using difluoromethane (R32), trifluoroiodomethane (CF.sub.3I), and at least one selected from saturated fluorinated hydrocarbon compounds (HFC) other than difluoromethane (R32). Such compositions may include: a base oil (A) with at least one selected from a polyoxyalkylene glycol, a polyvinyl ether, a copolymer of a poly(oxy)alkylene glycol or a monoether thereof and a polyvinyl ether, and a polyol ester; and an aliphatic epoxy compound (B), wherein the content of the aliphatic epoxy compound (B) is more than 2.0% by mass based on the total amount of the lubricating oil composition.

A lubricating oil composition may be suitable for a refrigerator and have excellent thermal stability when used with a refrigerant using difluoromethane (R32), trifluoroiodomethane (CF.sub.3I), and at least one selected from saturated fluorinated hydrocarbon compounds (HFC) other than difluoromethane (R32). Such compositions may include: a base oil (A) with at least one selected from a polyoxyalkylene glycol, a polyvinyl ether, a copolymer of a poly(oxy)alkylene glycol or a monoether thereof and a polyvinyl ether, and a polyol ester; and an aliphatic epoxy compound (B), wherein the content of the aliphatic epoxy compound (B) is more than 2.0% by mass based on the total amount of the lubricating oil composition.

The present invention provides a lubricant composition comprising a base oil of lubricating viscosity, wherein the base oil comprises an ether base stock of formula (A), where: R.sub.a and R.sub.b are aliphatic hydrocarbyl groups and may be the same or different; the lubricant composition further comprising at least one aminic anti-oxidant and at least one phenolic anti-oxidant. In some embodiments, the ether base stock has the formula (1), where: R.sub.1 R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 are as defined herein. The lubricant composition may be used for lubricating a surface in an internal combustion engine as well as for improving the fuel economy performance and/or piston cleanliness performance of an engine and/or a vehicle, such as an automotive vehicle associated with an internal combustion engine. ##STR00001##

The present invention provides a lubricant composition comprising a base oil of lubricating viscosity, wherein the base oil comprises an ether base stock of formula (A), where: R.sub.a and R.sub.b are aliphatic hydrocarbyl groups and may be the same or different; the lubricant composition further comprising at least one aminic anti-oxidant and at least one phenolic anti-oxidant. In some embodiments, the ether base stock has the formula (1), where: R.sub.1 R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 are as defined herein. The lubricant composition may be used for lubricating a surface in an internal combustion engine as well as for improving the fuel economy performance and/or piston cleanliness performance of an engine and/or a vehicle, such as an automotive vehicle associated with an internal combustion engine. ##STR00001##

The present invention relates to a process for preparing ethers, particularly unsymmetrical ethers, and preferably ethers suitable for use as base stocks for lubricant compositions. In particular, the process involves the reaction of an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde with a trihydrocarbyl orthoester to form an α,β-unsaturated acetal and conversion of the α,β-unsaturated acetal to an ether through hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing ethers, particularly unsymmetrical ethers, and preferably ethers suitable for use as base stocks for lubricant compositions. In particular, the process involves the reaction of an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde with a trihydrocarbyl orthoester to form an α,β-unsaturated acetal and conversion of the α,β-unsaturated acetal to an ether through hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis.

A lithium complex hybrid grease is based on a lithium complex grease in combination with a PFPE grease. The lithium complex hybrid grease can be used at higher temperatures, does not form layers in the process, and exhibits a low hardening tendency. The lithium complex hybrid grease is usable in components in the automotive field and in the industrial field.