| abstract |
A continuously variable transmission fluid comprises a hydrogenated cyclic dimer of α-alkyl styrene and a low temperature viscosity control agent. The fluid does not contain more than 20 wt. % of a linear dimer of the α-alkyl styrene, and the fluid has a kinematic viscosity of greater than about 2.5×10 −6 m 2 /s at 100° C., as measured according to ASTM D-445. The dimerized α-alkyl styrene can be made by (a) contacting an α-alkyl styrene with a supported acid catalyst to effect oligomerization of the α-alkyl styrene to a cyclic dimer; and (b) hydrogenating the cyclic dimer in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to produce a fully hydrogenated cyclic dimer, wherein the α-alkyl styrene is contacted with the supported acid catalyst in the absence of a solvent for the α-alkyl styrene and a free acid. |