Alkylated naphthalenes as synthetic lubricant base stocks

Abstract

This invention relates to alkylated methylnaphthalenes and their utility in lubricant base stocks. In particular, the alkylated methylnaphthalenes of the present invention have unexpectedly superior thermal and oxidative properties and may be used to improve the performance characteristics of other lubricant base oils.

1 . An alkylated methyl naphthalene having a RBOT of at least about 500 minutes said alkylated methyl naphthalene made by the method comprising reacting an alkylating agent having at least 6 carbon atoms with 1-methyl naphthalene, 2-methyl naphthalene or a substantially pure mixture of 1-methyl naphthalene and 2-methyl naphthalene in a methyl naphthalene to alkylating agent ratio of at least about 2:1 at a temperature in the range of about 150° C. to about 250° C., a pressure of about 0.1 to 100 atmosphere for from about 0.5 to about 100 hours over a USY zeolite, said alkylated methyl naphthalene having about 30% or less of the long chain alkyl groups attached to the naphthalene at the 2 position of the long chain alkyl group.  
     
     
         2 . The alkylated methyl naphthalene of  claim 1  having a RBOT of at least about 500 minutes said alkylated naphthalene made by the method comprising reacting an alkylating agent having at least 6 carbon atoms with 1 methyl naphthalene in a methyl naphthalene to alkylating agent ratio of at least about 2:1 at a temperature in the range of about 175° C. to about 200° C. a pressure of about 0.1 to 100 atmospheres for from 0.5 to about 100 hours over a USY zeolite, said alkylated methyl naphthalene having about 30% or less of the long chain alkyl group attached to the naphthalene at the 2 position of the long chain alkyl group.  
     
     
         3 . The alkylated methyl naphthalene of  claim 1  having a RBOT of at least about 500 minutes, said alkylated methyl naphthalene made by the method comprising reacting an alkylating agent having at least 6 carbon atoms with 2-methyl naphthalene in a methyl naphthalene to alkylating agent ratio of at least about 2:1 at a temperature in the range of about 150° C. to about 225° C., a pressure of about 0.1 to 100 atmospheres for from about 0.5 to about 100 hours over a USY zeolite catalyst said alkylated methyl naphthalene having about 30% or less of the long chain alkyl group attached to the naphthalene at the 2 position of the long chain alkyl group.  
     
     
         4 . The alkylated methyl naphthalene of  claim 1  having a RBOT of at least about 500 minutes said alkylated methyl naphthalene made by the method comprising reacting an alkylating agent having at least 6 carbon atoms with a substantially pure mixture of 1 methyl naphthalene and 2 methyl naphthalene in a methyl naphthalene to alkylating agent ratio of at least about 2:1 a temperature in the range of about 175° C. to about 200° C., a pressure of about 0.1 to 100 atmosphere for from about 0.5 to about 100 hours over a USY zeolite catalyst said alkylated naphthalene having about 30% or less of the long chain alkyl groups attached to the naphthalene at the 2 position of the long chain alkyl group.  
     
     
         5 . The alkylated naphthalene of  claim 1 ,  2 ,  3  or  4  having a RBOT of about 600 minutes or longer.  
     
     
         6 . The alkylated naphthalene of  claim 1 ,  2 ,  3  or  4  having a RBOT of about 700 minutes or longer.  
     
     
         7 . The alkylated naphthalene of  claim 1 ,  2 ,  3  or  4  having a RBOT of about 700 to 1300 minutes or longer.  
     
     
         8 . The alkylated naphthalene of  claim 1 ,  2 ,  3  or  4  wherein the ratio of methyl naphthalene to alkylating agent is about 2:1 to about 10:1.  
     
     
         9 . The alkylated naphthalene of  claim 1 ,  2 ,  3  or  4  wherein the ratio of methyl naphthalene to alkylating agent is about 2:1 to about 4:1.  
     
     
         10 . The alkylated naphthalene of  claim 3  wherein the temperature of reaction is about 150° C. to 200° C.  
     
     
         11 . The alkylated naphthalene of  claim 3  wherein the temperature of reaction is about 175° C. to 200° C.  
     
     
         12 . The alkylated naphthalene of  claim 1 ,  2 ,  3  or  4  wherein the alkylated methyl naphthalene has less than about 30% of the long chain alkyl groups attached to the naphthalene at the 2 position of the long chain alkyl group.  
     
     
         13 . The alkylated methyl naphthalene of  claim 1 ,  2 ,  3  or  4  wherein the alkylated methyl naphthalene has 29% or less of the long chain alkyl groups attached to the naphthalene at the 2 position of the long chain alkyl group.