Synthetic diester base oils from wastes of electrochemical production of sebacic acid

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to focus on the production of mixed‐synthetic diester base oils from the waste of electrochemical production of sebacic acid (mixtures of methyl esters of dicarboxylic acids, HOOC(CH₂)nCOOH, n=4, 6, 8).

Design/methodology/approach

The mixtures of methyl esters of dicarboxylic acids ((CH₂)n, n=4, 6, 8) are transesterified by pure alcohols and also different mixtures of aliphatic monohydric alcohols, C6‐C10 of iso‐ and normal structure, in the presence of a new catalyst system (tetra‐n‐butyl orthotitanate, Ti(O‐n‐Bu)₄). The effects of starting materials ratios on the reaction progress and characteristic features of the obtained diester oils have been studied.

Findings

The obtained mixed diester oils showed similar thermal properties and low pour point (minimum −70°C), and improved viscosity‐temperature properties compared with commercially available dioctyl sebacate (DOS) and dioctyl adipate (DOA) diester oils.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the complexity of the obtained mixture, it was impossible to study the structure and composition of the obtained products by modern techniques such as high field NMR spectroscopy.

Practical implications

The mixtures of methyl esters of dicarboxylic acids obtained from different batches of sebacic acid production have different molar ratios and must be analyzed before use. The process is based on transesterification reactions of methyl esters of mixture of the aliphatic dicarboxylic acids ((CH₂)n, n=4, 6, 8) by mixture of aliphatic alcohols having iso‐ and normal structure in the presence of a new transesterification catalyst (mixture of p‐toluene sulfonic acid and tetra‐n‐butyl orthotitanate). The obtained mixed diester oils showed similar thermal properties, low pour point (minimum −70°C) and improved viscosity‐temperature properties compared with commercially available DOS and DOA diester oils.

Originality/value

The paper illustrates a new process for the production of mixed‐synthetic diester base oils.

Citation

Mansoori, Y. and Tataroglu Seyidov, F. (2008), "Synthetic diester base oils from wastes of electrochemical production of sebacic acid", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 60 No. 6, pp. 276-280. https://doi.org/10.1108/00368790810902205