Synthesis of a long chain alkylbiphenyl base stock and study on the lubricating properties
Abstract
Purpose
The Friedel-Crafts alkylation of biphenyl with 1-octene was completed using methanesulfonic acid (MSA) as catalyst.
Design/methodology/approach
Single factor experiments were carried out to investigate the influence of the molar ratio of biphenyl to 1-octene, the amount of MSA, reaction temperature and reaction time on the olefins conversion and the yield of product to obtain the optimal reaction conditions. Under the optimum conditions, a lubricating base stock was synthesized, and its physical, chemical and electrical properties were determined.
Findings
The experimental results showed that after a 5 h reaction time at 353 K, the olefins conversion of 94.9 per cent and the yield of product of 69.3 per cent were obtained with a molar ratio of biphenyl to 1-octene of 1.2 and a molar ratio of MSA to 1-octene of 1. Under the optimum conditions, a lubricating base stock was synthesized, and its physical, chemical and electrical properties were determined. The results suggested that the synthetic base stock could be used as refrigeration oil.
Originality/value
In this manuscript, biphenyl was alkylated with 1-octene using MSA as the catalyst and 2.6-di-t-butylphenol as polymerization inhibitor. Compared with traditional catalysts, it has so many advantages as low tendency to oxidize organic compounds, low toxicity and less corrosion. In addition, it can be readily separated from the reaction mixture and can be reused. Moreover, MSA is an environmentally friendly material.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to express their gratitude to Yubo Ma and Mirzat Adil for their fruitful discussion and selfless assistance; the authors also thank the Analysis and Testing Center of Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry for their technical and instrument support.
Citation
Wang, T., Cai, G., Zhang, L., Ma, L., Yu, E. and Eli, W. (2014), "Synthesis of a long chain alkylbiphenyl base stock and study on the lubricating properties", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 66 No. 5, pp. 618-622. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILT-01-2013-0008
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited