Mobil Oil Corporation

The Pennsylvania University

Gregory S Long

Jeffrey C Trewella

Ayusman Sen

Zhaozhong Jiang

Suzanne Elaine Schramm

Shahid Murtuza

The novel synthetic polyethylene fluids of the present invention are characterized by high viscosity indices (about 94-151 VI), low pour points (about -60 to -10.degree. C.), and a kinematic viscosity of about 6 to 28 cSt KV at 100.degree. C. The product compositions comprise polymers having a molecular weight of from about 300 to 30,000 and a high branching index of 151 to 586 branches per 1000 CH.sub.2 groups, or BI=0.18-0.40, wherein the polymer is substantially free of methyl branches. Highly-branched polyethylene fluids that have less than 5 methyl branches per 1000 CH.sub.2 groups are prepared by polymerizing ethylene in the presence of a catalyst system consisting of [C] and [B], wherein [C] is a catalyst having the empirical formula MX.sub.4 and [B] is a co-catalyst having the empirical formula R.sub.n AlX.sub.3-n, where M is a Group IVB transition metal, X is a halogen anion, R is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl group, and n is 1-2, in the presence of a promoter, wherein the promoter is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen or a Lewis acid such as, for example, FeCl.sub.3, AlCl.sub.3, or mixtures thereof.

Synthesis of branched polyethylene fluids for use in lubricant

The novel synthetic polyethylene fluids of the present invention are characterized by high viscosity indices (about 94-151 VI), low pour points (about -60 to -10.degree. C.), and a kinematic viscosity of about 6 to 28 cSt KV at 100.degree. C. The product compositions comprise polymers having a molecular weight of from about 300 to about 30,000 and a branching index of 151 to 586 branches per 1000 CH.sub.2 groups, or BI=0.18-0.40. A process for preparing such novel synthetic polyethylene fluids comprises polymerizing ethylene in the presence of a catalyst system, said catalyst system comprising [A] and [B], wherein [A] is a catalyst having the formula MX.sub.5 and [B] is a co-catalyst having the formula R.sub.n AlX.sub.3-n where M is a Group VB, VIB, or VIII transition metal; X is a halogen anion; R is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl group; and n is 1-2.

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State College, PA, United States of America

Gregory S Long