Ether compounds and related compositions

Abstract

In some embodiments, a compound has the formula (I) where: R 1 and R 2 are alkyl or, together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, cycloalkyl; R 3 , R 4 and R 5 are H or alkyl (formula II); R 6 is alkyl or where: R 7 and R 8 are H, alkyl or, together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, cycloalkyl; R 9 is H or alkyl; X is alkylene or is absent; and p is 0, 1, 2 or 3; and m and n are 0, 1, 2 or 3 provided that m is 0 when R 4 and R 5 are H. The compound is suitable for use as a base stock which provides low volatility for a given viscosity profile. The compound may be used in a lubricant composition for an internal combustion engine.

1 - 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . A compound of formula (2): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       where:
 R 1  and R 2  are alkyl or, together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, cycloalkyl; 
 R 3  and R 5  are H or alkyl; 
 R 4  is alkyl; 
 R 6  is alkyl; and 
 n is 0, 1, 2 or 3, 
 
       wherein the compound contains a total number of carbon atoms of from 20 to 50. 
     
     
         35 . The compound of  claim 34 , wherein the compound has the formula (3): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       where:
 R 1  is alkyl; 
 R 3  and R 5  are H or alkyl; 
 R 4  is alkyl; 
 R 6  is alkyl; and 
 n is 0, 1, 2 or 3. 
 
     
     
         36 . The compound of  claim 35 , wherein the compound has the formula (4): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       where:
 R 1  and R 4  are C 1-15  alkyl; 
 R 3  and R 5  are H or C 1-15  alkyl. 
 
     
     
         37 . The compound of  claim 36 , wherein:
 R 1  is C 4-12  alkyl;   R 3  is H;   R 4  is C 1-10  alkyl; and   R 5  is H.   
     
     
         38 . The compound of  claim 34 , wherein the compound has the formula (10): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       where:
 R 1  and R 4  are alkyl; 
 R 3  and R 5  are H or alkyl; 
 R 6  is alkyl. 
 
     
     
         39 . The compound of  claim 34 , wherein
 R 1  and R 2  are C 1-15  alkyl or, together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, C 5-30  cycloalkyl;   R 3  and R 5  are H or C 1-15  alkyl;   R 4  is C 1-15  alkyl;   R 6  is C 1-15  alkyl; and   n is 0, 1, or 2.   
     
     
         40 . The compound of  claim 34 , wherein
 R 1  and R 2  are C 2-12  alkyl or, together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, C 5-25  cycloalkyl;   R 3  and R 5  are H or C 2-12  alkyl;   R 4  is C 2-12  alkyl;   R 6  is C 2-12  alkyl; and   n is 0, 1, or 2.   
     
     
         41 . The compound of  claim 34 , wherein
 R 1  and R 2  are C 2-12  alkyl or, together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, C 5-25  cycloalkyl;   R 3  is H or C 2-12  alkyl;   R 4  is C 2-12  alkyl;   R 5  is H;   R 6  is C 2-12  alkyl; and   n is 0 or 1.   
     
     
         42 . The compound of  claim 36 , wherein:
 R 1  is C 6-10  alkyl;   R 3  is H;   R 4  is C 2-8  alkyl; and   R 5  is H.   
     
     
         43 . The compound of  claim 34 , wherein the compound is prepared from bio-derived feedstock. 
     
     
         44 . The compound of  claim 34 , wherein the compound contains greater than 50% by weight of biobased carbon. 
     
     
         45 . The compound of  claim 34 , wherein the compound has at least one of:
 a kinematic viscosity at 40° C. of less than 25 cSt;   a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of less than 7 cSt;   a viscosity index of greater than 100;   a viscosity at 150° C. and a shear rate of 10 6  s −1  of no greater than 1.7 cP;   a Noack volatility of less than 26% by weight; and   a pour point of less than −10° C.   
     
     
         46 . The compound of  claim 34 , wherein the compound has a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 3 to 4 cSt and a Noack volatility of less than 20% by weight; or a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 2 to 3 cSt, and a Noack volatility of less than 40% by weight. 
     
     
         47 . A base oil comprising a compound as defined in  claim 34 . 
     
     
         48 . The base oil of  claim 47 , wherein the base oil comprises greater than 10% by weight of the compound. 
     
     
         49 . The base oil of  claim 47 , wherein the base oil comprises a base stock selected from Group I, Group II, Group III, Group IV and Group V base stocks and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         50 . A lubricant composition comprising a base oil as defined in  claim 47 . 
     
     
         51 . The lubricant composition of  claim 47 , wherein the lubricant composition comprises greater than 50% by weight of the base oil. 
     
     
         52 . The lubricant composition of  claim 47 , wherein the lubricant composition has at least one of:
 a kinematic viscosity at 40° C. of less than 60 cSt;   a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of less than 12 cSt;   a viscosity index of greater than 100;   a viscosity at 150° C. and a shear rate of 10 6  s −1  of no greater than 3 cP; and   a Noack volatility of less than 25% by weight.   
     
     
         53 . A method of preparing a base oil, said method comprising providing a compound as defined in  claim 34 , and preparing a base oil comprising said compound. 
     
     
         54 . A method of preparing a lubricant composition, said method comprising providing a base oil as defined in  claim 47 , and blending the base oil with one or more lubricant additives to prepare the lubricant composition. 
     
     
         55 . A method of improving the oxidative stability performance, fuel economy performance, and/or piston cleanliness performance of a lubricating composition, comprising the step of providing to the lubricating composition a compound according to  claim 34 . 
     
     
         56 . A method of improving the oxidative stability performance, fuel economy performance, and/or piston cleanliness performance of a lubricating composition, comprising the step of providing to the lubricating composition a base oil according  claim 47 . 
     
     
         57 . A method of lubricating a surface, said method comprising supplying a lubricant composition as defined in  claim 50  to said surface.