Sulfurized metal phenates

Abstract

A novel multifunctional lube oil additive is provided and comprising the reaction product of an alkyl phenol having from 8 to 35 carbons in the alkyl group, sulfur and an alkaline earth metal oxide or hydroxide. The reaction is performed in a two step process in the presence of a mutual solvent whereby the sulfurized metal phenate produced has a sulfur to metal atom ratio between about 1 and 2 .Iadd.and an alkalinity value of 40 to 200 mg. KOH/gram..Iaddend.

We claim: 
     
       1. A composition of matter prepared by reacting an alkyl phenol having from 8 to 35 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, sulfur and an alkaline earth metal base in the presence of a mutual solvent to form a sulfurized metal phenate having a sulfur to metal atom ratio between 1 and 4 .Iadd.and an alkalinity value of 40 to 200 mg. KOH/gram.Iaddend.. 
     
     
       2. The composition defined in claim 1 wherein said mutual solvent is ethylene glycol and said sulfur to metal atom ratio is between 1.1 and 2 and wherein said sulfurized metal phenate has an alkalinity value of 40 to 200 mg. KOH/gram. 
     
     
       3. The composition defined in claim 2 wherein said alkyl phenol is tetrapropylene phenol and said alkaline earth metal base is calcium oxide, hydroxide or combination thereof. 
     
     
       4. A composition of matter comprising a major portion of an oil of lubricating viscosity and from 0.5 to 15 weight percent of a composition as defined in claim 1. 
     
     
       5. The composition defined in claim 4 wherein said mutual solvent is ethylene glycol and said sulfur to metal atom ratio is between 1.1 and 2 and wherein said sulfurized metal phenate has an alkalinity value of 40 to 200 mg. KOH/gram. 
     
     
       6. The composition defined in claim 5 wherein said alkyl phenol is tetrapropylene phenol and said alkaline earth metal base is calcium oxide, hydroxide or combination thereof. 
     
     
       7. A process for producing a mixture of sulfurized metal phenates having a sulfur to metal atom ratio between 1 and 4 .Iadd.and an alkalinity value of 40 to 200 mg. KOH/gram .Iaddend.which comprises: a first contacting of 8.7 to 47 mol percent of an alkyl phenol having from 8 to 35 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, from 13 to 81 mol percent of sulfur, from 0.5 to 42 mol percent of an alkaline earth metal base and from 1.3 to 66 mol percent of a mutual solvent within a liquid reaction medium at a temperature of 250 to 450° F. and at a presence of 5 to 20 p.s.i.a. for a period of 1 to 6 hours, the mol ratio being maintained between 0.05 to 1.5 mols of metal base, 0.1 to 4 mols of mutual solvent and 1 to 5 mols of sulfur per mol of alkyl phenol; and   a second contacting of the reaction product obtained from said first contacting with 0 to 49 mol percent of said alkaline earth metal base, and from 17 to 80 mol percent of said mutual solvent at a temperature of 250 to 450° F. and a pressure of 2 to 15 p.s.i.a. for a period of 4 to 10 hours.   
     
     
       8. The process defined in claim 7 wherein said mutual solvent is ethylene glycol and said alkaline earth metal base is calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide. 
     
     
       9. A process for producing a mixture of sulfurized metal phenates having a sulfur to metal atom ratio between 1 and 4 .Iadd.and an alkalinity value of 40 to 200 mg. KOH/gram .Iaddend.which comprises: contacting in a first step from 0.2 to 1 mol of an alkaline earth metal base, from 0.2 to 1 mol of a mutual solvent and from 1.5 to 3 mols of sulfur with each mol of an alkyl phenol having from 8 to 35 carbons; in the alkyl group said contacting being maintained at a temperature of 250 to 450° F. and a pressure of 5 to 20 p.s.i.a. for a period of 1 to 6 hours to produce a sulfurized intermediate reaction product; and   contacting in a second step said sulfurized intermediate reaction product with 0.2 to 0.6 mol of an alkaline earth metal base and from 0.5 to 2 mols of mutual solvent per mol of said alkyl phenol in said first step;   said contacting in the second step being maintained at a temperature of 250 to 450° F. and a pressure of 2 to 15 p.s.i.a. for a period of 2 to 10 hours to produce a sulfurized metal phenate mixture.   
     
     
       10. The process defined in claim 9 wherein said mutual solvent is ethylene glycol, said alkaline earth metal base is calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide, and said mutual solvent is stripped from said sulfurized metal phenate mixture in said second step. 
     
     
       11. The process defined in claim 10 wherein an inert reaction diluent is present in said second step in an amount less than 50 weight percent. 
     
     
       12. The product produced by the method of claim 9. 
     
     
       13. The composition defined in claim 1 wherein said mutual solvent is 1,4-butanediol.