Production of poly-alpha-olefin type lubricating oil

PURPOSE: To profitably produce the lubricating oil by oligomerizing olefins in the presence of BF-cocatalyst chelate, separating the catalyst by distillation, recycling the separated catalyst in reaction, and reducing cost. CONSTITUTION: The poly-α-olefin type lubricating oil is obtained by oligomerizing olefins (particularly, straight chain or branched 4-20C olefin) in the presence of BF 3 -cocatalyst chelate (preferably, 1-15C alcohol, polyole, 1-7C carboxylic acid, for example, BF 3 -n-BuOH, etc.). The BF 3 -cocatalyst chelate is preferably distilled in the distillation column at lower temperature and pressure, and the separated catalyst is recycled as catalyst for similar oligomerization reaction. The oligomerization reaction is carried out with either of batch type or continuous system, and the concentration of catalyst is regulated to 0.1 to 10 mol.% for olefin. COPYRIGHT: (C)1989,JPO