10-Undecenoic acid-based polyol esters as potential lubricant base stocks

Abstract A new class of polyol esters were prepared by esterification of 10-undecenoic acid (UDA) with three polyols namely trimethylolpropane (TMP), neopentyl glycol (NPG) and pentaerythritol (PE) in 92–96% yields. The esters were characterized by IR, 1 H NMR, HPLC and mass spectral studies. Polyol esters were evaluated for basic lubrication properties and found to be: viscosity at 40 °C, 11.2–36.1 cSt; at 100 °C, 3.2–7.3 cSt; viscosity index (VI), 162–172; pour point +3 to −36 °C; flash point, 254–296 °C. All the three polyol esters synthesized exhibited good thermal stability with TGA onset temperatures above 260 °C. The lubricating properties of the products compared well with polyol esters based on oleic acid.