Method to synthesize fluorinated ZDDP

Abstract

Disclosed are methods for preparing lubricant additives and lubricants by reacting together organophosphate compounds and fluorine compounds, the fluorine compound participating in the reaction as a reactant. The supernatants and precipitates formed during the reaction then may be used as lubricant additives.

1 . A method for preparing lubricant additives comprising: 
 reacting one or more phosphorous compounds with one or more halide compounds wherein said one or more halide compounds participates as a reactant,    wherein supernatants and precipitates resulting from said reaction form said lubricant additives.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said one or more halide compounds is selected from the group consisting of: metal halides, organohalides, and fluorinating agents.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said metal halides comprise: 
 ferric fluoride, aluminum trifluoride, zirconium tetrafluoride, titanium trifluoride, titanium tetrafluoride, chromium difluoride, chromium trifluoride, manganese difluoride, manganese trifluoride, nickel difluoride, stannous difluoride, stannous tetrafluoride, and combinations thereof.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said one or more phosphorous compounds is zinc dialkylthiophosphate (ZDDP).  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said one or more phosphorous compounds is a mixture of ZDDP with smaller molecular weight organophosphates.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said one or more phosphorous compounds is selected from the group consisting of: ashless phosphates, thiophosphates, thiostannates, ZDDP, ZDDP mixed with smaller molecular weight organophosphates, metal organophosphates, and metal organothiophosphates.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said reaction occurs at a temperature ranging from −20° C. to 150° C.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said reaction occurs at a temperature ranging from 60° to 150° C.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said reaction occurs over a period of time ranging from 20 minutes to 24 hours.  
     
     
         10 . A method for synthesizing lubricant additives comprising: 
 mixing at least one organophosphate compound with at least one fluorine compound in a mill for a period of time ranging from 10 minutes to 30 days at a temperature ranging from −20° C. to 150° C.; and    forming a supernatant and precipitate during the reaction, wherein said supernatant and said precipitate are used as said lubricant additives.    
     
     
         11 . A method for synthesizing lubricant additives comprising: 
 combining at least one organophosphate compound with at least one fluorinating agent;    reacting said combination of said at least one organophosphate compound and said at least one fluorinating agent at a temperature ranging from −20° C. to 150° C. for a duration of time ranging from 1 minute to 24 hours,    wherein a solution formed during said reaction, separated from any solids formed during said reaction results in said lubricant additives.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 adding said solution formed during said reaction to a fully formulated GF-4 oil, automatic transmission fluid, gear oil or grease.    
     
     
         13 . A method for preparing lubricant additives comprising: 
 mixing ferric fluoride with one or more organophosphates;    baking said mixture of ferric fluoride and said one or more organophosphates;    centrifuging said mixture, wherein the decant formed is a fluorinated organophosphate compound to be utilized as lubricant additives.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said one or more organophosphates is ZDDP.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said baking step is performed in an inert environment.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said baking step is performed in an air environment.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said baking occurs at temperatures between −20° C. and 150° C.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said baking occurs for a period of time ranging from 20 minutes to 3 days.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13  said method further comprising: 
 using an attrition milling process to break up particles of said ferric fluoride and enhance the interaction between said ferric fluoride and said one or more organophosphates to produce a fluorinated organophosphate compound.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said attrition milling process utilizes a ball mill.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said attrition milling process utilizes a stirred ball bill.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19  wherein attrition milling process utilizes a centrifugal or planetary ball mill.