Synthetic biolubricant basestocks based on environmentally friendly raw materials

This work outlines modifications in the epoxidation, oxirane ring opening, estrification and acylation reactions to produce oleic acid based triester derivatives. Measuring of pour point (PP), flash point (FP), viscosity index (VI), oxidation onset temperature (OT) and signal maximum temperature (SMT) was carried out for each compound. The resulting product structures were confirmed by NMR and FTIR spectroscopic analysis. The results showed that butyl 9-(decanoyloxy)- 10-(behenoxy)octadecanoate with bulky ester behenyl mid chain exhibited the most favorable low-temperature performance (PP -47 ˚C). On the other hand, butyl 9-(decanoyloxy)-10-(octyloxy) octadecanoate exhibited higher oxidation stability (OT 173 ˚C) than the other synthetic esters. In conclusion, an increase in midchain substituent length improves the PP and conversely lowers the OT.