Synthetic Base Stock Based on Guerbet Alcohols

Guerbet (beta branched) alcohols of varying chain length of even carbon numbers were synthesized by using single linear fatty alcohols ranging from 1-octanol to 1-dodecanol. All Guerbet alcohols having fewer than 28 carbon atoms and are liquid at 0 A degrees C due to beta branching. Synthetic base oils were prepared by reacting commonly available unsaturated fatty acids and dicarboxylic acids with Guerbet alcohols using p-toluenesulfonic acid as a catalyst. These base oils were characterized by physical and tribological properties like viscosity, viscosity index, pour point, flash point, wear scar, weld load, coefficient of friction etc. and compared with commercially available 150 and 500 N base oils.