Tartaric Acid Derivatives as Fuel Economy Improvers and Antiwear Agents in Crankcase Oils and Preparation Thereof

Abstract

Formulations using tartaric compounds of the present invention in a low sulfur, low ash and low phosphorous lubricant lower wear, and friction and improves fuel economy.

1 . A low-sulfur, low-phosphorus, low-ash lubricant composition suitable for use in an internal combustion engine, comprising:
 (a) an oil of lubricating viscosity, and   (b) a condensation product of a material represented by formula I and an alcohol or amine having about 8 to about 30 carbon atoms and combinations thereof;   
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       wherein each R is independently H, or a hydrocarbyl group, or wherein the R groups together form a ring; and 
       wherein if R is H, the condensation product is optionally further functionalized by acylation or reaction with a boron compound; 
       wherein said lubricant composition has a sulfated ash value of up to about 1.0, a phosphorus content of up to about 0.08 percent by weight and a sulfur content of up to about 0.4 percent by weight; and 
       wherein the amount of condensation product is about 0.05 to 5.0 percent by weight. 
     
   
   
       2 . (canceled) 
   
   
       3 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the amount of condensation product is about 0.1 to about 2.0 percent by weight. 
   
   
       4 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the amount of condensation product is about 0.25 to about 1.25 percent by weight. 
   
   
       5 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a metal dialkyldithiophosphate. 
   
   
       6 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein the metal dialkyldithiophosphate is zinc dialkyldithiophosphate wherein at least about 50 percent of the alkyl groups thereof are secondary alkyl groups. 
   
   
       7 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a dispersant. 
   
   
       8 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein the dispersant is a succinimide. 
   
   
       9 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one calcium overbased detergent. 
   
   
       10 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein the calcium overbased detergent is selected from the group consisting of calcium sulfonates, calcium phenates, calcium salicylates, calcium salixarates and mixtures thereof. 
   
   
       11 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one antioxidant. 
   
   
       12 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the antioxidant is selected from the group consisting of hindered phenols, aryl amines and mixtures thereof. 
   
   
       13 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising additional friction modifiers other than (b). 
   
   
       14 . The composition of  claim 13  wherein the additional friction modifiers are selected from the group consisting of glycerol monooleates, oleyl amides, diethanol fatty amines and mixtures thereof. 
   
   
       15 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a defoamer 
   
   
       16 . A method of lubricating an internal combustion engine, comprising supplying to said engine (a) an oil of lubricating viscosity, and (b) a condensation product of a material represented by formula I and an alcohol or amine having about 8 to about 30 carbon atoms and combinations thereof; 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       wherein in the product each R is independently H or a hydrocarbyl group, or wherein the R groups together form a ring; or wherein if R is H, then the resulting hydroxyl group is optionally further functionalized by acylation or reaction with a boron compound; 
       wherein said lubricant composition has a sulfated ash value of up to about 1.0, a phosphorus content of up to about 0.08 percent by weight and a sulfur content of up to about 0.4 percent by weight; and 
       wherein the amount of condensation product is about 0.05 to 5.0 percent by weight. 
     
   
   
       17 . A method of making a lubricant composition comprising:
 (i) blending (a) an oil of lubricating viscosity and (b) a condensation product of a material represented by formula I and an alcohol or amine having about 8 to about 30 carbon atoms and combinations thereof;   
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       wherein in the product each R is independently H or a hydrocarbyl group, or wherein the R groups together form a ring; or wherein if R is H, then the resulting hydroxyl group is optionally further functionalized by acylation or reaction with a boron compound; 
       resulting in a lubricant composition wherein said lubricant composition has a sulfated ash value of up to about 1.0, a phosphorus content of up to about 0.08 percent by weight and a sulfur content of up to about 0.4 percent by weight; and 
       wherein the amount of condensation product is about 0.05 to 5.0 percent by weight. 
     
   
   
       18 . A lubricant composition comprising:
 (a) an oil of lubricating viscosity, and   (b) a tartrimide, tartramide or combination thereof wherein component (b) is derived from a material represented by formula I and an amine having about 8 to about 30 carbon atoms and combinations thereof;   
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       wherein each R is independently H, or a hydrocarbyl group, or wherein the R groups together form a ring; and 
       wherein if R is H, said tartrimide, tartramide or combination thereof is optionally further functionalized by acylation or reaction with a boron compound; 
       wherein said lubricant composition has a sulfated ash value of up to about 1.0, a phosphorus content of up to about 0.08 percent by weight and a sulfur content of up to about 0.4 percent by weight; and 
       wherein the amount of said tartrimide, tartramide or combination thereof is about 0.05 to 5.0 percent by weight of the lubricating composition. 
     
   
   
       19 . A method of lubricating an internal combustion engine, comprising the steps of: (i) supplying to said engine a lubricant composition comprising:
 (a) an oil of lubricating viscosity, and   (b) a tartrimide, tartramide or combinations thereof wherein component (b) is derived from a material represented by formula I and an amine having about 8 to about 30 carbon atoms and combinations thereof;   
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       wherein in the product each R is independently H or a hydrocarbyl group, or wherein the R groups together form a ring; or wherein if R is H, then the resulting hydroxyl group is optionally further functionalized by acylation or reaction with a boron compound; 
       wherein said lubricant composition has a sulfated ash value of up to about 1.0, a phosphorus content of up to about 0.08 percent by weight and a sulfur content of up to about 0.4 percent by weight; and 
       wherein the amount of said tartrimide, tartramide or combination thereof is about 0.05 to 5.0 percent by weight of the lubricating composition. 
     
   
   
       20 . A method of making a lubricant composition comprising the steps of: (i) blending
 (a) an oil of lubricating viscosity and   (b) a tartrimide, tartramide or combinations thereof wherein component (b) is derived from a material represented by formula I and an amine having about 8 to about 30 carbon atoms and combinations thereof;   
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       wherein in the product each R is independently H or a hydrocarbyl group, or wherein the R groups together form a ring; or wherein if R is H, then the resulting hydroxyl group is optionally further functionalized by acylation or reaction with a boron compound; 
       resulting in a lubricant composition wherein said lubricant composition has a sulfated ash value of up to about 1.0, a phosphorus content of up to about 0.08 percent by weight and a sulfur content of up to about 0.4 percent by weight; and 
       wherein the amount of said tartrimide, tartramide or combination thereof is about 0.05 to 5.0 percent by weight of the lubricating composition.