Lactones as new oxygenate fuel additives, fuels based thereon and methods for using same

Abstract

A new oxygenated fuel additive is disclosed, where the additive is a cyclic ester or lactone. A fuel including the new oxygenated fuel additive is disclosed, where the additive is a cyclic ester or lactone. A method is also disclosed for increasing the efficiency of engines and other combustion devices which burn fuels including the the new oxygenated fuel additive is disclosed, where the additive is a cyclic ester or lactone.

1 . A fuel additive including one or a plurality of lactones of the general formula (I):  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     where R 1 , R 2 , each R 3 , each R 4 , R 5 , and R 6  are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having between 1 and about 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having between about 6 and about 20 carbons atoms, an araalkyl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, an alkaaryl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, hetero analogs where one or more of the carbon atoms are substituted for oxygen, and n is an integer having a value between 0 and 4 and mixtures or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       2 . The additive of  claim 1 , wherein n is 0 and the additive or additives are four membered lactones of the formula (II):  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     where R 7 , R 8 , R 9 , and R 10  are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having between 1 and about 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having between about 6 and about 20 carbons atoms, an araalkyl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, an alkaaryl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, hetero analogs where one or more of the carbon atoms are substituted for oxygen, and mixtures or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       3 . The additive of  claim 1 , wherein n is 1 and the additive or additives are five membered lactones of the formula (III):  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     where R 11 , R 12 , R 13 , R 14 , R 15 , and R 16  are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having between 1 and about 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having between about 6 and about 20 carbons atoms, an araalkyl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, an alkaaryl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, hetero analogs where one or more of the carbon atoms are substituted for oxygen, and mixtures or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       4 . The additive of  claim 1 , wherein n is 2 and the additive or additives are six membered lactones of the formula (IV):  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     where R 17 , R 18 , R 19 , R 20 , R 21 , R 22 , R 23 , and R 24  are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having between 1 and about 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having between about 6 and about 20 carbons atoms, an araalkyl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, an alkaaryl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, hetero analogs where one or more of the carbon atoms are substituted for oxygen, and mixtures or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       5 . The additive of  claim 1 , wherein n is 3 and the additive or additives are seven membered lactones of the formula (V):  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     where R 25 , R 26 , R 27 , R 28 , R 29 ,R 30 , R 31 , R 32 , R 33 , and R 34  are the same or different and are selected form  5 the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having between 1 and about 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having between about 6 and about 20 carbons atoms, an araalkyl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, an alkaaryl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, hetero analogs where one or more of the carbon atoms are substituted for oxygen, and mixtures or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       6 . The additive of  claim 1 , wherein n is 4 and the additive or additives are eight membered lactones of the formula (VI):  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     where R 35 , R 36 , R 37 , R 38 , R 39 , R 40 , R 41 , R 42 , R 43 , R 44 , R 45 , and R 46  are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having between 1 and about 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having between about 6 and about 20 carbons atoms, an araalkyl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, an alkaaryl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, hetero analogs where one or more of the carbon atoms are substituted for oxygen, and mixtures or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       7 . The additive of  claim 1 , wherein the additive is selected from the group consisting β-propiolactone or hydracrylic acid β-lactone or 3-hydroxypropionic acid lactone (C 3 H 4 O 2 ); γ-crotonolactone or 2-buten-1,4-olide-25H-furanone (C 4 H 4 O 2 ); β-butyrolactone or 4-methyl-2-oxetanone or β-methyl-β-propiolactone or 3-hydroxybutyric acid β-lactone (C 4 H 6 O 2 ); γ-butyrolactone or 4-hydroxbutyric acid lactone or γ-hydroxybutyric acid lactone (C 4 H 6 O 2 ); β-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone (C 4 H 6 O 3 ); α-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone or 4,5-dihydro-3-hydroxy-23H-furanone (C 4 H 6 O 3 ); δ-erythronic acid γ-lactone or δ-erythronolactone or 3-cis-dihydro-3,4-dihydroxy-23H-furanone (C 4 H 6 O 4 ); α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone or tulipane or 3-methylenedihydro-23H-furanone (C 5 H 6 O 2 ); α-angelicalactone or 5-methyl-23H-furanone or 4-hydroxy-3-pentenoic acid γ-lactone (C 5 H 6 O 2 ); α-angelicalactone or 5-methyl-23H-furanone or 4-hydroxy-3-pentenoic acid γ-lactone (C 5 H 6 O 2 ); γ-methylene-γ-butyrolactone or 5-methylenedihydro-23H-furanone or α′-angelicalactone (C 5 H 6 O 2 ); 5-oxo-2-tetrahydrofurancarboxylic acid or γ-carboxy-γ-butyrolactone or 5-oxotetrahydro-2-furancarboxylic acid (C 5 H 6 O 4 ); α-methyl-γ-butyrolactone or 4,5-dihydro-3-methyl-23H-furanone (C 5 H 8 O 2 ); δ-valerolactone or tetrahydro-2H-2-pyranone (C 5 H 8 O 2 ); ±-γ- valerolactone or 4-hydroxypentanoic acid lactone or 4,5-dihydro-5-methyl-23H-furanone or γ-methyl-γ-butyrolactone (C 5 H 8 O 2 ); γ-hydroxymethyl-γ-butyrolactone or 5-hydroxymethyl-2-oxotetrahydrofuran or 4,5-dihydro-5-hydroxymethyl-23H-furanone (C 5 H 8 O 3 ); dihydro-5-Hydroxymethyl-23H-furanone or 5-hydroxymethyl-2-oxotetrahydrofuran or 4,5-dihydro-5-hydroxymethyl-23H-furanone or γ-hydroxymethyl-γ-butyrolactone (C 5 H 8 O 3 ); γ-caprolactone or γ-ethyl-γ-butyrolactone (C 6 H 10 O 2 ); δ-hexalactone or δ-caprolactone (C 6 H 10 O 2 ); mevalonolactone or β-hydroxy-β-methyl-δ-valerolactone or 3-hydroxy-3 -methyl-δ-valerolactone or mevalolactone or mevalonic acid lactone (C 6 H 10 O 3 ); dl-α-hydroxy-β,β-dimethyl-γ-butyrolactone or dl-pantolactone or β,β-dimethyl-α-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone or dihydro-3-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-23H-furanone (C 6 H 10 O 3 ); pantolactone or pantoic acid-γ-lactone or pantolactone or α-hydroxy-β,β-dimethyl-γ-butyrolactone or dihydro-3-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-23H-furanone or β,β-dimethyl-α-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone or δ-pantolactone or δ-pantolactone or α-hydroxy-β,β-dimethyl-γ-butyrolactone (C 6 H 10 O 3 ); 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-pyrone or 3,5-dihydroxysorbic acid δ-lactone (C 6 H 6 O 3 ); α-acetyl-α-methyl-γ-butyrolactone (C 7 H 10 O 3 ); 2,3-o-isopropylidene-δ-erythronolactone or 2,3-o-isopropylidene-δ-erythronolactone (C 7 H 10 O 4 ); ethyl-5-oxotetrahydro-2-furancarboxylate or δ-ethoxycarbonyl-δ-butyrolactone (C 7 H 10 O 4 ); γ-ethoxycarbonyl-γ-butyrolactone or ethyl-5-oxotetrahydro-2-furancarboxylate (C 7 H 10 O 4 ); γ-heptalactone or 4-heptanolide or 4-heptanolide or dihydro-5-propyl-23H-furanone or γ-propyl-γ-butyrolactone (C 7 H 12 O 2 ); β,β-dimethyl-γ-hydroxy-methyl-γ-butyrolactone (C 7 H 12 O 3 ); 1,6-dioxaspiro[4.4nonane-2,7-dione or 4,4-dihydroxypimelic acid dilactone or spirodilactone (C 7 H 8 O 4 ); hexahydro-5-hydroxy-4-hydroxymethyl-2H-cyclopenta[β]furan-2-one or Corey lactone (C 8 H 12 O 4 ); 2-ethoxycarbonyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylbutyric acid γ-lactone (C 8 H 12 O 4 ); 2,3-o-isopropylidene-δ-ribonic γ-lactone or 2,3-o-isopropylidene-δ-ribonic γ-lactone or 2,3-o-isopropylidene-δ-ribono-1,4-lactone (C 8 H 12 O 5 ); γ-octalactone, γ-octanoic lactone, (C 8 H 14 O 2 ); 2,5-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid lactone or homogentisic lactone or 5-hydroxybenzofuran-23H-one (C 8 H 6 O 3 ); dehydroacetic acid or 3-acetyl-6-methyl-2H-pyran-2,4-3H-dione or 3-acetyl-4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-pyrone or 2-acetyl-5-hydroxy-3-oxo-4-hexenoic acid δ-lactone (C 8 H 8 O 4 ); 5-hydroxy-2,3-norbomanedicarboxylic acid γ-lactone (C 9 H 10 O 4 ); α-acryloyloxy-β,β-dimethyl-γ-butyrolactone (C 9 H 12 O 4 ); α-acryloyloxy-β,β-dimethyl-γ-butyrolactone (C 9 H 12 O 4 ); 2-ethyl-2-2-hydroxyethyl-glutaric acid γ-lactone (C 9 H 14 O 4 ); 5,6-o-isopropylidene-1-gulonic acid γ-lactone, (C 9 H 14 O 6 ); whiskey lactone or 5-butyl-4-methyldihydro-23H-furanone, mixture of cis and trans, (C 9 H 16 O 2 ); γ-nonanoic lactone (C 9 H 16 O 2 ); 4-nonanolide or 4,5-dihydro-5-pentyl-23H-furanone or γ-pentyl-g-butyrolactone (C 9 H 16 O 2 ); δ-nonalactone or 5-hydroxynonanoic acid lactone (C 9 H 16 O 2 ); γ-phenyl-γ-butyrolactone (C 10 H 10 O 2  ); 6-amyl-α-pyrone or 5-hydroxy-2,4-decadienoic acid γ-lactone (C 10 H 14 O 2 ); 6-amyl-α-pyrone or 5-hydroxy-2,4-decadienoic acid γ-lactone, (C 10 H 14 O 2 ); menthalactone (C 10 H 14 O 2 ); γ-jasmolactone or cis-7-decen-4-olide or cis-γ-3-hexen-1-ylbutyrolactone (C 10 H 16 O 2 ); 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-3-oxobutyl-valeric acid γ-lactone (C 10 H 16 O 3 ); δ-decalactone or 5-decanolide or 6-pentyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-one or δ-pentyl-δ-valerolactone or 5-hydroxydecanoic acid δ-lactone (C 10 H 18 O 2 ); ε-decalactone or 7-butyl-2-oxepanone (C 10 H 18 O 2 ); γ-decanolactone or 4-hydroxydecanoic acid γ-lactone (C 10 H 18 O 2 ); α-benzylidene-γ-butyrolactone (C 11 H 10 O 2 ); 2-benzyl-3,4-dihydroxycrotonic acid γ-lactone (C 11 H 10 O 3 ); 2-benzyl-3,4-dihydroxycrotonic acid γ-lactone (C 11 H 10 O 3 ); α-2-hydroxybenzylidene-γ-butyrolactone (C 11 H 10 O 3 ); 2,3-cyclohexylidene-δ-ribonic acid γ-lactone, (C 11 H 16 O 5 ); 2-ethoxycarbonyl-2-2-hydroxyethyl-hexanoic acid γ-lactone (C 11 H 18 O 4 ); 2-ethoxycarbonyl-2-2-hydroxyethyl-valeric acid γ Lactone (C 11 H 18 O 4 ); γ-undecalactone (C 11 H 20 O 2 ); δ-undecalactone (C 11 H 20 O 2 ); undecanoic γ-lactone (C 11 H 20 O 2 ); undecanoic δ-lactone (C 11 H 20 O 2 ); Oxacyclododecan-2-one or undecanoic ω-lactone or 1-oxa-2-cyclododecanone and 11-undecanolide (C 11 H 20 O 2 ); 3,4-o-benzylidene-δ-ribonicd-lactone (C 12 H 12 O 5 ); 3,4-o-benzylidene-δ-ribonicd-lactone (C 12 H 12 O 5 ); 2-ethoxycarbonyl 2,2-hydroxyethyl-heptanoic acid γ-lactone (C 12 H 20 O 4 ); 2,2-hydroxyethyl-2-isopentylglutaric acid γ-lactone (C 12 H 20 O 4 ); 2-ethoxycarbonyl-2,2-hydroxyethyl-5-methylhexanoic acid γ-lactone (C 12 H 20 O 4 ); δ-dodecalactone or 5-dodecanolide or 5-hydroxydodecanoic acid δ-lactone or 6-heptyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-one or δ-heptyl-δ-valerolactone (C 12 H 22 O 2 ); γ-dodecalactone or 4-dodecanolide or dihydro-5-octyl-23H-furanone or γ-octyl-γ-butyrolactone (C 12 H 22 O 2 ); α-acetyl-4-hydroxy-β-Hydroxymethyl-3-methoxycinnamic acid γ-lactone (C 13 H 12 O 5 ); γ-2-naphthyl-g-butyrolactone (C 14 H 12 O 2 ); δ-tetradecalactone (C 14 H 26 O 2 ); ω-pentadecalactone or pentadecanolide or 15-hydroxypentadecanoic acid lactone or 15-pentadecanolide or 1-oxa-2-cyclohexadecanone (C 15 H 28 O 2 ); α,α-diphenyl-γ-butyrolactone or 4-hydroxy-2,2-diphenylbutyric acid γ-lactone (C 16 H 14 O 2 ); ω-6-hexadecenlactone (C 16 H 28 O 2 ); and mixtures or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       8 . The additive of  claim 1 , wherein the additive is selected from the group consisting of γ-valerolactone, γ-caprolactone, δ-valerolactone and δ-caprolactone and mixtures or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       9 . A fuel composition comprising a fuel and a fuel additive including at least one lactone of the general formula (I):  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     where R 1 , R 2 , each R 3 , each R 4 , R 5 , and R 6  are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having between 1 and about 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having between about 6 and about 20 carbons atoms, an araalkyl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, an alkaaryl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, hetero analogs where one or more of the carbon atoms are substituted for oxygen, and n is an integer having a value between 0 and 4, and mixtures or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       10 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein the fuel is selected from the group consisting of gasoline and aviation fuel.  
   
   
       11 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein n is 0 and the additive or additives are four membered lactones of the formula (II):  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     where R 7 , R 8 , R 9 , and R 10  are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having between 1 and about 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having between about 6 and about 20 carbons atoms, an araalkyl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, an alkaaryl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, hetero analogs where one or more of the carbon atoms are substituted for oxygen, and mixtures or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       12 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein n is 1 and the additive or additives are five membered lactones of the formula (III):  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     where R 11 , R 12 , R 13 , R 14 , R 15 , and R 16  are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having between 1 and about 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having between about 6 and about 20 carbons atoms, an araalkyl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, an alkaaryl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, hetero analogs where one or more of the carbon atoms are substituted for oxygen, and mixtures or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       13 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein n is 2 and the additive or additives are six membered lactones of the formula (IV):  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     where R 17 , R 18 , R 19 , R 20 , R 21 , R 22 , R 23 , and R 24  are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having between 1 and about 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having between about 6 and about 20 carbons atoms, an araalkyl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, an alkaaryl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, hetero analogs where one or more of the carbon atoms are substituted for oxygen, and mixtures or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       14 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein n is 3 and the additive or additives are seven membered lactones of the formula (V):  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     where R 25 , R 26 , R 27 , R 28 , R 29 , R 30 , R 31 , R 32 , R 33 , and R 34  are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having between 1 and about 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having between about 6 and about 20 carbons atoms, an araalkyl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, an alkaaryl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, hetero analogs where one or more of the carbon atoms are substituted for oxygen, and mixtures or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       15 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein n is 4 and the additive or additives are eight membered lactones of the formula (VI):  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     where R 35 , R 36 , R 37 , R 38 , R 39 , R 40 , R 41  R 42 , R 43 , R 44 , R 45 , and R 46  are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having between 1 and about 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having between about 6 and about 20 carbons atoms, an araalkyl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, an alkaaryl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, hetero analogs where one or more of the carbon atoms are substituted for oxygen, and mixtures or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       16 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein the additive is selected from the group consisting of β-propiolactone or hydracrylic acid β-lactone or 3-hydroxypropionic acid lactone (C 3 H 4 O 2 ); γ-crotonolactone or 2-buten-1,4-olide-25H-furanone (C 4 H 4 O 2 ); β-butyrolactone or 4-methyl-2-oxetanone or β-methyl-β-propiolactone or 3-hydroxybutyric acid β-lactone (C 4 H 6 O 2 ); γ-butyrolactone or 4-hydroxbutyric acid lactone or γ-hydroxybutyric acid lactone (C 4 H 6 O 2 ); β-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone (C 4 H 6 O 3 ); α-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone or 4,5-dihydro-3-hydroxy-23H-furanone (C 4 H 6 O 3 ); δ-erythronic acid γ-lactone or δ-erythronolactone or 3-cis-dihydro-3,4-dihydroxy-23H-furanone (C 4 H 6 O 4 ); α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone or tulipane or 3-methylenedihydro-23H-furanone (C 5 H 6 O 2 ); α-angelicalactone or 5-methyl-23H-furanone or 4-hydroxy-3-pentenoic acid γ-lactone (C 5 H 6 O 2 ); α-angelicalactone or 5-methyl-23H-furanone or 4-hydroxy-3-pentenoic acid γ-lactone (C 5 H 6 O 2 ); γ-methylene-γ-butyrolactone or 5-methylenedihydro-23H-furanone or α′-angelicalactone (C 5 H 6 O 2 ); 5-oxo-2-tetrahydrofurancarboxylic acid or γ-carboxy-γ-butyrolactone or 5-oxotetrahydro-2-furancarboxylic acid (C 5 H 6 O 4 ); α-methyl-γ-butyrolactone or 4,5-dihydro-3 -methyl-23H-furanone (C 5 H 8 O 2 ); δ-valerolactone or tetrahydro-2H-2-pyranone (C 5 H 8 O 2 ); ±-γ-valerolactone or 4-hydroxypentanoic acid lactone or 4,5-dihydro-5-methyl-23H-furanone or γ-methyl-γ-butyrolactone (C 5 H 8 O 2 ); γ-hydroxymethyl-γ-butyrolactone or 5-hydroxymethyl-2-oxotetrahydrofuran or 4,5-dihydro-5-hydroxymethyl-23H-furanone (C 5 H 8 O 3 ); dihydro-5-Hydroxymethyl-23H-furanone or 5-hydroxymethyl-2-oxotetrahydrofuran or 4,5-dihydro-5-hydroxymethyl-23H-furanone or γ-hydroxymethyl-γ-butyrolactone (C 5 H 8 O 3 ); γ-caprolactone or γ-ethyl-γ-butyrolactone (C 6 H 10 O 2 ); δ-hexalactone or δ-caprolactone (C 6 H 10 O 2 ); mevalonolactone or β-hydroxy-β-methyl-δ-valerolactone or 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-δ-valerolactone or mevalolactone or mevalonic acid lactone (C 6 H 10 O 3 ); dl-α-hydroxy-β,β-dimethyl-γ-butyrolactone or dl-pantolactone or β,β-dimethyl-α-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone or dihydro-3-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-23H-furanone (C 6 H 10 O 3 ); pantolactone or pantoic acid-γ-lactone or pantolactone or α-hydroxy-β,β-dimethyl-γ-butyrolactone or dihydro-3-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-23H-furanone or β,β-dimethyl-α-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone or δ-pantolactone or δ-pantolactone or α-hydroxy-β,β-dimethyl-γ-butyrolactone (C 6 H 10 O 3 ); 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-pyrone or 3,5-dihydroxysorbic acid δ-lactone (C 6 H 6 O 3 ); α-acetyl-α-methyl-γ-butyrolactone (C 7 H 10 O 3 ); 2,3-o-isopropylidene-δ-erythronolactone or 2,3-o-isopropylidene-δ-erythronolactone (C 7 H 10 O 4 ); ethyl-5-oxotetrahydro-2-furancarboxylate or δ-ethoxycarbonyl-δ-butyrolactone (C 7 H 10 O 4 ); γ-ethoxycarbonyl-γ-butyrolactone or ethyl-5-oxotetrahydro-2-furancarboxylate (C 7 H 10 O 4 ); γ-heptalactone or 4-heptanolide or 4-heptanolide or dihydro-5-propyl-23H-furanone or γ-propyl-γ-butyrolactone (C 7 H 12 O 2 ); β,β-dimethyl-γ-hydroxy-methyl-γ-butyrolactone (C 7 H 12 O 3 ); 1,6-dioxaspiro[4.4]nonane-2,7-dione or 4,4-dihydroxypimelic acid dilactone or spirodilactone (C 7 H 8 O 4 ); hexahydro-5-hydroxy-4-hydroxymethyl-2H-cyclopenta[β]furan-2-one or Corey lactone (C 8 H 12 O 4 ); 2-ethoxycarbonyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylbutyric acid γ-lactone (C 8 H 12 O 4 ); 2,3-o-isopropylidene-δ-ribonic γ-lactone or 2,3-o-isopropylidene-δ-ribonic γ-lactone or 2,3-o-isopropylidene-δ-ribono-1,4-lactone (C 8 H 12 O 5 ); γ-octalactone, γ-octanoic lactone, (C 8 H 14 O 2 ); 2,5-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid lactone or homogentisic lactone or 5-hydroxybenzofuran-23H-one (C 8 H 6 O 3 ); dehydroacetic acid or 3-acetyl-6-methyl-2H-pyran-2,4-3H-dione or 3-acetyl-4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-pyrone or 2-acetyl-5-hydroxy-3-oxo-4-hexenoic acid δ-lactone (C 8 H 8 O 4 ); 5-hydroxy-2,3-norbomanedicarboxylic acid γ-lactone (C 9 H 10 O 4 ); α-acryloyloxy-β,β-dimethyl-γ-butyrolactone (C 9 H 12 O 4 ); α-acryloyloxy-β,β-dimethyl-γ-butyrolactone (C 9 H 12 O 4 ); 2-ethyl-2-2-hydroxyethyl-glutaric acid γ-lactone (C 9 H 14 O 4 ); 5,6-o-isopropylidene-1-gulonic acid γ-lactone, (C 9 H 14 O 6 ); whiskey lactone or 5-butyl-4-methyldihydro-23H-furanone, mixture of cis and trans, (C 9 H 16 O 2 ); γ-nonanoic lactone (C 9 H 16 O 2 ); 4-nonanolide or 4,5-dihydro-5-pentyl-23H-furanone or γ-pentyl-g-butyrolactone (C 9 H 16 O 2 ); δ-nonalactone or 5-hydroxynonanoic acid lactone (C 9 H 16 O 2 ); γ-phenyl-γ-butyrolactone (C 10 H 10 O 2 ); 6-amyl-α-pyrone or 5-hydroxy-2,4-decadienoic acid γ-lactone (C 10 H 14 O 2 ); 6-amyl-α-pyrone or 5-hydroxy-2,4-decadienoic acid γ-lactone, (C 10 H 14 O 2 ); menthalactone (C 10 H 14 O 2 ); γ-jasmolactone or cis-7-decen-4-olide or cis-γ-3-hexen-1-ylbutyrolactone (C 10 H 16 O 2 ); 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-3-oxobutyl-valeric acid γ-lactone (C 10 H 16 O 3 ); δ-decalactone or 5-decanolide or 6-pentyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-one or δ-pentyl-δ-valerolactone or 5-hydroxydecanoic acid δ-lactone (C 10 H 18 O 2 ); ε-decalactone or 7-butyl-2-oxepanone (C 10 H 18 O 2 ); γ-decanolactone or 4-hydroxydecanoic acid γ-lactone (C 10 H 18 O 2 ); α-benzylidene-γ-butyrolactone (C 11 H 10 O 2 ); 2-benzyl-3,4-dihydroxycrotonic acid γ-lactone (C 11 H 10 O 3 ); 2-benzyl-3,4-dihydroxycrotonic acid γ-lactone (C 11 H 10 O 3 ); α-2-hydroxybenzylidene-γ-butyrolactone (C 11 H 10 O 3 ); 2,3-cyclohexylidene-δ-ribonic acid γ-lactone, (C 11 H 16 O 5 ); 2-ethoxycarbonyl-2-2-hydroxyethyl-hexanoic acid γ-lactone (C 11 H 18 O 4 ); 2-ethoxycarbonyl-2-2-hydroxyethyl-valeric acid γ Lactone (C 11 H 18 O 4 ); γ-undecalactone (C 11 H 20 O 2 ); δ-undecalactone (C 11 H 20 O 2 ); undecanoic γ-lactone (C 11 H 20 O 2 ); undecanoic δ-lactone (C 11 H 20 O 2 ); Oxacyclododecan-2-one or undecanoic ω-lactone or 1-oxa-2-cyclododecanone and 11-undecanolide (C 11 H 20 O 2 ); 3,4-o-benzylidene-δ-ribonicd-lactone (C 12 H 12 O 5 ); 3,4-o-benzylidene-δ-ribonicd-lactone (C 12 H 12 O 5 ); 2-ethoxycarbonyl 2,2-hydroxyethyl-heptanoic acid γ-lactone (C 12 H 20 O 4 ); 2,2-hydroxyethyl-2-isopentylglutaric acid γ-lactone (C 12 H 20 O 4 ); 2-ethoxycarbonyl-2,2-hydroxyethyl-5-methylhexanoic acid γ-lactone (C 12 H 20 O 4 ); δ-dodecalactone or 5-dodecanolide or 5-hydroxydodecanoic acid δ-lactone or 6-heptyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-one or δ-heptyl-δ-valerolactone (C 12 H 22 O 2 ); γ-dodecalactone or 4-dodecanolide or dihydro-5-octyl-23H-furanone or γ-octyl-γ-butyrolactone (C 12 H 22 O 2 ); α-acetyl-4-hydroxy-β-Hydroxymethyl-3-methoxycinnamic acid γ-lactone (C 13 H 12 O 5 ); γ-2-naphthyl-g-butyrolactone (C 14 H 12 O 2 ); δ- tetradecalactone (C 14 H 26 O 2 ); ω-pentadecalactone or pentadecanolide or 15-hydroxypentadecanoic acid lactone or 15-pentadecanolide or 1-oxa-2-cyclohexadecanone (C 15 H 28 O 2 ); α,α-diphenyl-γ-butyrolactone or 4-hydroxy-2,2-diphenylbutyric acid γ-lactone (C 16 H 14 O 2 ); ω-6-hexadecenlactone (C 16 H 28 O 2 ); and mixtures or combinations thereof  
   
   
       17 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein the additive is selected from the group consisting of γ-valerolactone, γ-caprolactone, δ-valerolactone and δ-caprolactone and mixtures or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       18 . A method for reducing emissions and improving combustion efficiencies from the burning of a fuel including the steps of: 
 supplying a fuel composition comprising a fuel and a fuel additive to an internal combustion engine, a fuel powered generator, or a fuel powered energy conversion unit, and    burning the fuel in the engine, generator or unit to convert stored chemical energy in the fuel to a useable form of energy,    where the fuel additive comprises at least one lactone of the general formula (I):                          where R 1 , R 2 , each R 3 , each R 4 , R 5 , and R 6  are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having between 1 and about 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having between about 6 and about 20 carbons atoms, an araalkyl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, an alkaaryl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, hetero analogs where one or more of the carbon atoms are substituted for oxygen, and n is an integer having a value between 0 and 4, mixtures or combinations thereof.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the fuel is selected from the group consisting of gasoline and aviation fuel.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein n is 0 and the additive or additives are four membered lactones of the formula (II):  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     where R 7 , R 8 , R 9 , and R 10  are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having between 1 and about 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having between about 6 and about 20 carbons atoms, an araalkyl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, an alkaaryl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, hetero analogs where one or more of the carbon atoms are substituted for oxygen, and mixtures or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein n is 1 and the additive or additives are five membered lactones of the formula (III):  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     where R 11 , R 12 , R 13 , R 14 , R 15 , and R 16  are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having between 1 and about 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having between about 6 and about 20 carbons atoms, an araalkyl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, an alkaaryl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, hetero analogs where one or more of the carbon atoms are substituted for oxygen, and mixtures or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein n is 2 and the additive or additives are six membered lactones of the formula (IV):  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     where R 17 , R 18 , R 19 , R 20 , R 21 , R 22 , R 23 , and R 24  are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having between 1 and about 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having between about 6 and about 20 carbons atoms, an araalkyl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, an alkaaryl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, hetero analogs where one or more of the carbon atoms are substituted for oxygen, and mixtures or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein n is 3 and the additive or additives are seven membered lactones of the formula (V):  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     where R 25 , R 26 , R 27 , R 28 , R 29 , R 30 , R 31 , R 32 , R 33 , and R 34  are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having between 1 and about 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having between about 6 and about 20 carbons atoms, an araalkyl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, an alkaaryl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, hetero analogs where one or more of the carbon atoms are substituted for oxygen, and mixtures or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein n is 4 and the additive or additives are eight membered lactones of the formula (VI):  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     where R 35 , R 36 , R 37 , R 38 , R 39 , R 40 , R 41 , R 42 , R 43 , R 44 , R 45 , and R 46  are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having between 1 and about 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having between about 6 and about 20 carbons atoms, an araalkyl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, an alkaaryl group having between about 7 and about 20 carbons atoms, hetero analogs where one or more of the carbon atoms are substituted for oxygen, and mixtures or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the additive is selected from the group consisting β-propiolactone or hydracrylic acid β-lactone or 3-hydroxypropionic acid lactone (C 3 H 4 O 2 ); γ-crotonolactone or 2-buten-1,4-olide-25H-furanone (C 4 H 4 O 2 ); β-butyrolactone or 4-methyl-2-oxetanone or β-methyl-β-propiolactone or 3-hydroxybutyric acid β-lactone (C 4 H 6 O 2 ); γ-butyrolactone or 4-hydroxbutyric acid lactone or γ-hydroxybutyric acid lactone (C 4 H 6 O 2 ); β-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone (C 4 H 6 O 3 ); α-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone or 4,5-dihydro-3-hydroxy-23H-furanone (C 4 H 6 O 3 ); δ-erythronic acid γ-lactone or δ-erythronolactone or 3-cis-dihydro-3,4-dihydroxy-23H-furanone (C 4 H 6 O 4 ); α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone or tulipane or 3-methylenedihydro-23H-furanone (C 5 H 6 O 2 ); α-angelicalactone or 5-methyl-23H-furanone or 4-hydroxy-3-pentenoic acid γ-lactone (C 5 H 6 O 2 ); α-angelicalactone or 5-methyl-23H-furanone or 4-hydroxy-3-pentenoic acid γ-lactone (C 5 H 6 O 2 ); γ-methylene-γ-butyrolactone or 5-methylenedihydro-23H-furanone or α′-angelicalactone (C 5 H 6 O 2 ); 5-oxo-2-tetrahydrofurancarboxylic acid or γ-carboxy-γ-butyrolactone or 5-oxotetrahydro-2-furancarboxylic acid (C 5 H 6 O 4 ); α-methyl-γ-butyrolactone or 4,5-dihydro-3-methyl-23H-furanone (C 5 H 8 O 2 ); δ-valerolactone or tetrahydro-2H-2-pyranone (C 5 H 8 O 2 ); ±-γ-valerolactone or 4-hydroxypentanoic acid lactone or 4,5-dihydro-5-methyl-23H-furanone or γ-methyl-γ-butyrolactone (C 5 H 8 O 2 ); γ-hydroxymethyl-γ-butyrolactone or 5-hydroxymethyl-2-oxotetrahydrofuran or 4,5-dihydro-5-hydroxymethyl-23H-furanone (C 5 H 8 O 3 ); dihydro-5-Hydroxymethyl-23H-furanone or 5-hydroxymethyl-2-oxotetrahydrofuran or 4,5-dihydro-5-hydroxymethyl-23H-furanone or γ-hydroxymethyl-γ-butyrolactone (C 5 H 8 O 3 ); γ-caprolactone or γ-ethyl-γ-butyrolactone (C 6 H 10 O 2 ); δ-hexalactone or δ-caprolactone (C 6 H 10 O 2 ); mevalonolactone or β-hydroxy-β-methyl-δ-valerolactone or 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-δ-valerolactone or mevalolactone or mevalonic acid lactone (C 6 H 10 O 3 ); dl-α-hydroxy-β,β-dimethyl-γ-butyrolactone or dl-pantolactone or β,β-dimethyl-α-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone or dihydro-3-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-23H-furanone (C 6 H 10 O 3 ); pantolactone or pantoic acid-γ-lactone or pantolactone or α-hydroxy-β,β-dimethyl-γ-butyrolactone or dihydro-3-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-23H-furanone or β,β-dimethyl-α-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone or δ-pantolactone or δ-pantolactone or α-hydroxy-β,β-dimethyl-γ-butyrolactone (C 6 H 10 O 3 ); 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-pyrone or 3,5-dihydroxysorbic acid δ-lactone (C 6 H 6 O 3 ); α-acetyl-α-methyl-γ-butyrolactone (C 7 H 10 O 3 ); 2,3-o-isopropylidene-δ-erythronolactone or 2,3-o-isopropylidene-δ-erythronolactone (C 7 H 10 O 4 ); ethyl-5-oxotetrahydro-2-furancarboxylate or δ-ethoxycarbonyl-δ-butyrolactone (C 7 H 10 O 4 ); γ-ethoxycarbonyl-γ-butyrolactone or ethyl-5-oxotetrahydro-2-furancarboxylate (C 7 H 10 O 4 ); γ-heptalactone or 4-heptanolide or 4-heptanolide or dihydro-5-propyl-23H-furanone or γ-propyl-γ-butyrolactone (C 7 H 12 O 2 ); β,β-dimethyl-γ-hydroxy-methyl-γ-butyrolactone (C 7 H 12 O 3 ); 1,6-dioxaspiro[4.4]nonane-2,7-dione or 4,4-dihydroxypimelic acid dilactone or spirodilactone (C 7 H 8 O 4 ); hexahydro-5-hydroxy-4-hydroxymethyl-2H-cyclopenta[β]furan-2-one or Corey lactone (C 8 H 12 O 4 ); 2-ethoxycarbonyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylbutyric acid γ-lactone (C 8 H 12 O 4 ); 2,3-o-isopropylidene-δ-ribonic γ-lactone or 2,3-o-isopropylidene-δ-ribonic γ-lactone or 2,3-o-isopropylidene-δ-ribono-1,4-lactone (C 8 H 12 O 5 ); γ-octalactone, γ-octanoic lactone, (C 8 H 14 O 2 ); 2,5-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid lactone or homogentisic lactone or 5-hydroxybenzofuran-23H-one (C 8 H 6 O 3 ); dehydroacetic acid or 3-acetyl-6-methyl-2H-pyran-2,4-3H-dione or 3-acetyl-4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-pyrone or 2-acetyl-5-hydroxy-3-oxo-4-hexenoic acid δ-lactone (C 8 H 8 O 4 ); 5-hydroxy-2,3-norbomanedicarboxylic acid γ-lactone (C 9 H 10 O 4 ); α-acryloyloxy-β,β-dimethyl-γ-butyrolactone (C 9 H 12 O 4 ); α-acryloyloxy-β,β-dimethyl-γ-butyrolactone (C 9 H 12 O 4 ); 2-ethyl-2-2-hydroxyethyl-glutaric acid γ-lactone (C 9 H 14 O 4 ); 5,6-o-isopropylidene-1-gulonic acid γ-lactone, (C 9 H 14 O 6 ); whiskey lactone or 5-butyl-4-methyldihydro-23H-furanone, mixture of cis and trans, (C 9 H 16 O 2 ); γ-nonanoic lactone (C 9 H 16 O 2 ); 4-nonanolide or 4,5-dihydro-5-pentyl-23H-furanone or γ-pentyl-g-butyrolactone (C 9 H, 6 O 2 ); δ-nonalactone or 5-hydroxynonanoic acid lactone (C 9 H 16 O 2 ); γ-phenyl-γ-butyrolactone (C 10 H 10 O 2 ); 6-amyl-α-pyrone or 5-hydroxy-2,4-decadienoic acid γ-lactone (C 10 H 14 O 2 ); 6-amyl-α-pyrone or 5-hydroxy-2,4-decadienoic acid γ-lactone, (C 10 H 14 O 2 ); menthalactone (C 10 H 14 O 2 ); γ-jasmolactone or cis-7-decen-4-olide or cis-γ-3-hexen-1-ylbutyrolactone (C 10 H 16 O 2 ); 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-3-oxobutyl-valeric acid γ-lactone (C 10 H 16 O 3 ); δ-decalactone or 5-decanolide or 6-pentyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-one or δ-pentyl-δ-valerolactone or 5-hydroxydecanoic acid 6-lactone (C 10 H 18 O 2 ); ε-decalactone or 7-butyl-2-oxepanone (C 10 H 18 O 2 ); γ-decanolactone or 4-hydroxydecanoic acid γ-lactone (C 10 H 18 O 2 ); α-benzylidene-γ-butyrolactone (C 11 H 10 O 2 ); 2-benzyl-3,4-dihydroxycrotonic acid γ-lactone (C 11 H 10 O 3 ); 2-benzyl-3,4-dihydroxycrotonic acid γ-lactone (C 11 H 10 O 3 ); α-2-hydroxybenzylidene-γ-butyrolactone (C 11 H 10 O 3 ); 2,3-cyclohexylidene-δ-ribonic acid γ-lactone, (C 11 H 16 O 5 ); 2-ethoxycarbonyl-2-2-hydroxyethyl-hexanoic acid γ-lactone (C 11 H 18 O 4 ); 2-ethoxycarbonyl-2-2-hydroxyethyl-valeric acid γ Lactone (C 11 H 18 O 4 ); γ-undecalactone (C 11 H 20 O 2 ); δ-undecalactone (C 11 H 20 O 2 ); undecanoic γ-lactone (C 11 H 20 O 2 ); undecanoic δ-lactone (C 11 H 20 O 2 ); Oxacyclododecan-2-one or undecanoic ω-lactone or 1-oxa-2-cyclododecanone and 11-undecanolide (C 11 H 20 O 2 ); 3,4-o-benzylidene-δ-ribonicd-lactone (C 12 H 12 O 5 ); 3,4-o-benzylidene-δ-ribonicd-lactone (C 12 H 12 O 5 ); 2-ethoxycarbonyl 2,2-hydroxyethyl-heptanoic acid γ-lactone (C 12 H 20 O 4 ); 2,2-hydroxyethyl-2-isopentylglutaric acid γ-lactone (C 12 H 20 O 4 ); 2-ethoxycarbonyl-2,2-hydroxyethyl-5-methylhexanoic acid γ-lactone (C 12 H 20 O 4 ); δ-dodecalactone or 5-dodecanolide or 5-hydroxydodecanoic acid δ-lactone or 6-heptyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-one or δ-heptyl-δ-valerolactone (C 12 H 22 O 2 ); γ-dodecalactone or 4-dodecanolide or dihydro-5-octyl-23H- furanone or γ-octyl-γ-butyrolactone (C 12 H 22 O 2 ); α-acetyl-4-hydroxy-β-Hydroxymethyl-3-methoxycinnamic acid γ-lactone (C 13 H 12 O 5 ); γ-2-naphthyl-g-butyrolactone (C 14 H 12 O 2 ); δ-tetradecalactone (C 14 H 26 O 2 ); ω-pentadecalactone or pentadecanolide or 15-hydroxypentadecanoic acid lactone or 15-pentadecanolide or 1-oxa-2-cyclohexadecanone (C 15 H 28 O 2 ); α,α-diphenyl-γ-butyrolactone or 4-hydroxy-2,2-diphenylbutyric acid γ-lactone (C 16 H 14 O 2 ); ω-6-hexadecenlactone (C 16 H 28 O 2 ); and mixtures or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the additive is selected from the group consisting of γ-valerolactone, γ-caprolactone, δ-valerolactone and δ-caprolactone and mixtures or combinations thereof.