GB718126A - Improvements in or relating to copolyethers for use as synthetic lubricants - Google Patents

Abstract

Copolyethers useful as lubricants or plasticizers are prepared by catalytic polymerization at 80-35 mol. per cent. of ethylene oxide with 20-65 mol. per cent. of isobutene and/or 2-butene oxide. Suitable polymerization catalysts are alkaline, e.g. alkali-metal hydroxides or alcoholates or acid, e.g. boron trifluoride, aluminium chloride, sulphuric acid, thio halogen acids, stearic chloride, or p-toluene sulphonic acid. Diluents, e.g. dibutyl ether, petroleum ether, benzene, xylene or ethyl benzene may be present. Superatmospheric pressures may be employed and may be maintained by introduction of oxide mixture with or without an inert gas, e.g. nitrogen. The temperature may be 40-200 DEG C. A reaction initiator, e.g. water, a monohydric alcohol or phenol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol or butylene glycol may be added, and may take the place of the reaction diluent. The products may be esterified or etherified. Examples describe copolymers from (1), (4) ethylene oxide and isobutene oxide in presence of butanol; (3) ethylene oxide and isobutene oxide; (5) ethylene oxide and 2-butene oxide in presence of butanol. Example (2) describes the function of the acetate of the copolymer of Example (1) and Example (7) describes the methylation of that copolymer. Specifications 584,367, 601,604, 634,183, 646,292, 651,727, 653,352, 653,353 and 669,206 are referred to.ALSO:Copolyethers of ethylene oxide and isobutene oxide and/or 2-butene oxide (see Group IV (a)) are useful as lubricants and have good oil miscibility as shown by a test involving the preparation of a mixture of equal volumes of copolymer and of medicinal white oil.