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Poly‐α‐olefin‐based synthetic lubricants: a short review on various synthetic routes
Author(s) -
Ray Saptarshi,
Rao Peddy V. C.,
Choudary Nettem V.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
lubrication science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.632
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 1557-6833
pISSN - 0954-0075
DOI - 10.1002/ls.166
Subject(s) - olefin fiber , lewis acids and bases , catalysis , monomer , lubricant , viscosity index , boron trifluoride , organic chemistry , chemistry , viscosity , ionic liquid , materials science , chemical engineering , polymer chemistry , base oil , polymer , composite material , scanning electron microscope , engineering
This paper reviews various synthetic protocols for poly‐α‐olefin (PAO) synthetic lubricant base stocks that have evolved over the years. Apart from conventional Lewis acid catalysts known for the synthesis of poly‐α‐olefins, such as aluminium trichloride and boron trifluoride, several new catalysts such as metallocenes and ionic liquids have been reported by various researchers. With increasing options of catalytic processes available, it is now possible to produce tailor made PAOs and thus control the properties of the end products, such as viscosity and the viscosity index. Although 1‐decene is the most widely used monomer for PAO application, researchers have used a wide range of monomers from 1‐hexene to 1‐tetradecene and internal olefins in some cases. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.