| abstract |
Novel lubricant compositions comprising polyalpha-olefins are disclosed having high viscosity indices with low pour point. The compositions are characterized by a uniform molecular structure with low branch ratios. The invention describes a liquid lubricant composition comprising C30-C1300 hydrocarbons, said composition having a branch ratio of less than 0.19, weight average molecular weight between 300 and 45,000, number average molecular weight between 300 and 18,000, molecular weight distribution between 1 and 5 and pour point below -15 °C. 1-decene trimer comprising 9-methyl, 11-octylheneicosane and 11-octyldocosane is disclosed. The lubricant compositions are produced by contacting said alpha olefin with a supported solid reduced Group VIB (e.g., chromium) catalyst under oligomerization conditions at a temperature of about 90 to 250 °C to produce liquid lubricant hydrocarbon. The hydrogenated lubricant range hydrocarbon product has viscosity index of about 130 to 280 and a viscosity up to about 750 mm2/s(cs). The process is particularly useful where the starting alpha olefin consists essentially of olefinic hydrocarbon having 8 to 14 carbon atoms or mixtures thereof; wherein the process conditions include reaction temperature of about 100 to 180 °C; and wherein the support catalyst includes porous inert silica. |