EP0353935A1 — Ethylene alpha-olefin polymer substituted mono-an…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 115 words

A lubricating oil additive which comprises an ethylene alpha-olefin polymer substituted with at least one of C 3 to C 10 monounsaturated monocarboxylic acid producing moieties and C 4 to Cio monounsaturated dicarboxylic acid producing moieties, said polymer comprising monomer units derived from ethylene and at least one alpha-olefin of the formula H 2 C = CHR' wherein R' is an alkyl group of from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, and wherein said polymer has a number average molecular weight of from 300 to 10,000 and an average of at least 30% of said polymer chains contain terminal ethenylidene unsaturation and wherein said additive is characterized by a VR value of less than about 4.1.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 115 words

A lubricating oil additive which comprises an ethylene alpha-olefin polymer substituted with at least one of C 3 to C 10 monounsaturated monocarboxylic acid producing moieties and C 4 to Cio monounsaturated dicarboxylic acid producing moieties, said polymer comprising monomer units derived from ethylene and at least one alpha-olefin of the formula H 2 C = CHR' wherein R' is an alkyl group of from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, and wherein said polymer has a number average molecular weight of from 300 to 10,000 and an average of at least 30% of said polymer chains contain terminal ethenylidene unsaturation and wherein said additive is characterized by a VR value of less than about 4.1.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 21 words

The lubricating oil additive of claim 1 wherein said polymer has a number average molecular weight of between 700 and 5,000.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 18 words

The lubricating oil additive of claim 2 wherein said number average molecular weight is between 1500 and 3000.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 25 words

The lubricating oil additive of any of claims 1 to 3 wherein said polymer has a molar ethylene content of between 20 and 80 percent.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 21 words

The lubricating oil additive of claim 4 wherein said polymer has a molar ethylene content of between 45 and 65 percent.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 19 words

The lubricating oil additive of any of claims 1 to 5 wherein said VR value is less than 4.0.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 16 words

The lubricating oil additive of claim 6 wherein said VR value is from 2.5 to 4.0.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 117 words

The lubricating oil additive of any of claims 1 to 7 wherein said monounsaturated carboxylic acid producing moiety is derived from at least one monounsaturated carboxylic reactant selected from the group consisting of (i) monounsaturated C4 to C 1 dicarboxylic acids wherein (a) the carboxyl groups are attached to adjacent carbon atoms and (b) at least one of said adjacent carbon atoms are part of said mono unsaturation; (ii) anhydride or Ci to Cs alcohol derived mono- or di-ester derivatives of (i); (iii) monounsaturated C 3 to C, o monocarboxylic acids wherein the carbon-carbon double bond is allylic to the carboxy group; and (iv) of (iii) C 1 to Cs alcohol derived mono-or di-esters derivatives of (iii).

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 45 words

The lubricating oil additive of claim 8 wherein said monounsaturated carboxylic reactant comprises at least one fumaric acid, itaconic acid, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, chloromaleic acid, chloromaleic anhydride, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, cinnamic acid, and lower alkyl acid esters of the foregoing acids.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 18 words

The lubricating oil additive of any of claims 1 to 9 wherein said polymer comprises an ethylene-propylene copolymer.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 19 words

The lubricating oil additive of any of claims 1 to 10 wherein said monounsaturated carboxylic reactant comprises maleic anhydride.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 18 words

The lubricating oil additive of any of claims 1 to 11 wherein said polymer is substantially halogen free.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 25 words

The lubricating oil additive of any of claims 1 to 11 wherein said substituted polymer contains less than about 10 ppm by weight of chlorine.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 23 words

The lubricating oil additive of any of claims 1 to 13 wherein said substituted polymer has a functionality of at least about 0.8.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 32 words

The lubricating oil additive of any of claims 1 to 14 wherein said lubricating oil additive contains less than 40 wt% of said ethylene alpha-olefin polymer unsubstituted by said acid producing moieties.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 228 words

A low sediment process for producing a lubricating oil additive which comprises contacting: (a) an ethylene alpha-olefin polymer comprising monomer units derived from ethylene and at least one alpha-olefin of the formula H 2 C=CHR 1 wherein R' is an alkyl group of from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, said polymer having a number average molecular weight of between 300 and 10,000 and wherein an average of at least 30% of said polymer chains contain terminal ethenylidene unsaturation; with (b) at least one monounsaturated carboxylic reactant selected from the group consisting of (i) monounsaturated C 4 to C 10 dicarboxylic acids wherein (a) the carboxyl groups are attached to adjacent carbon atoms and (b) at least one of said adjacent carbon atoms are part of said monounsaturation; (ii) anhydride or C 1 to C 5 alcohol derived mono- or di-ester derivatives of (i); (iii) monounsaturated C 3 to C, o monocarboxylic acids wherein the carbon-carbon double bond is allylic to the carboxy group; and (iv) of (iii) C 1 to C 5 alcohol derived mono- or di-esters derivatives of (iii) under conditions and for a time sufficient to form a low sediment product mixture containing an ethylene alpha-olefin polymer substituted with said carboxylic acid moieties, wherein said product mixture is characterized by a VR value of not greater than 4.1 and by a functionality of at least 0.7.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 228 words

A low sediment process for producing a lubricating oil additive which comprises contacting: (a) an ethylene alpha-olefin polymer comprising monomer units derived from ethylene and at least one alpha-olefin of the formula H 2 C=CHR 1 wherein R' is an alkyl group of from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, said polymer having a number average molecular weight of between 300 and 10,000 and wherein an average of at least 30% of said polymer chains contain terminal ethenylidene unsaturation; with (b) at least one monounsaturated carboxylic reactant selected from the group consisting of (i) monounsaturated C 4 to C 10 dicarboxylic acids wherein (a) the carboxyl groups are attached to adjacent carbon atoms and (b) at least one of said adjacent carbon atoms are part of said monounsaturation; (ii) anhydride or C 1 to C 5 alcohol derived mono- or di-ester derivatives of (i); (iii) monounsaturated C 3 to C, o monocarboxylic acids wherein the carbon-carbon double bond is allylic to the carboxy group; and (iv) of (iii) C 1 to C 5 alcohol derived mono- or di-esters derivatives of (iii) under conditions and for a time sufficient to form a low sediment product mixture containing an ethylene alpha-olefin polymer substituted with said carboxylic acid moieties, wherein said product mixture is characterized by a VR value of not greater than 4.1 and by a functionality of at least 0.7.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 35 words

The process according to claim 16 wherein said polymer (a) contains less than 5 wt% of a low molecular weight polymer fraction comprising chains of said polymer having a molecular weight of less than 300.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 22 words

The process according to claim 17 wherein said polymer (a) contains less than 2 wt% of said low molecular weight polymer fraction.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 20 words

The process according to claim 16 wherein said contacting is conducted at a temperature of from 120 to 260 C.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 18 words

The process according to any of claims 16 to 19 wherein said product mixture is substantially halogen free.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 15 words

The process according to any of claims 16 to 20 wherein said alpha-olefin comprises propylene.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 49 words

The process according to any of claims 16 to 21 wherein said monounsaturated carboxylic reactant comprises at least one of fumaric acid, itaconic acid, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, chloromaleic acid, chloromaleic anhydride, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, cinnamic acid, and lower alkyl acid esters of the foregoing acids.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 24 words

The process according to any of claims 16 to 22 where in said polymer is characterized by a polydispersity of from 1.2 to 3.0.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 33 words

The process according to any of claims 16 to 23 wherein said low sediment mixture contains less than about 40 wt % of said ethylene alpha-olefin polymer unsubstituted by said carboxylic acid moieties.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 21 words

The process according to claim 24 wherein said substituted ethylene alpha-olefin polymer has a functionality of from about 0.5 to 2.8.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 68 words

The process according to any of claims 16 to 25 wherein said ethylene alpha-olefin polymer is contacted with said monounsaturated carboxylic reactant in the presence of a polyolefin, in a weight:weight ratio of said ethylene alpha-olefin polymer to said polyolefin of from 10:90 to 90:10, said polyolefin having a number average molecular weight of from 900 to 5,000 and a molecular weight distribution of less than about 4.0.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 245 words

An oil soluble dispersant mixture useful as a lubricating oil additive comprising an adduct of: (a) an ethylene alpha-olefin polymer substituted with monounsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acid producing moieties, said polymer comprising monomer units derived from ethylene and at least one alpha-olefin of the formula H 2 C=CHR 1 wherein R' is an alkyl group of from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, and wherein said polymer has a number average molecular weight of from 700 to 10,000 and an average of at least 30% of said polymer chains contain terminal ethenylidene unsaturation and wherein said substituted polymer is characterized by a VR value of less than 4.1, said acid producing moieties being derived from at least one monounsaturated carboxylic reactant selected from the group consisting of (i) monounsaturated C 4 to C 1 o dicarboxylic acids wherein (a) the carboxyl groups are attached to adjacent carbon atoms and (b) at least one, preferably both, of said adjacent carbon atoms are part of said monounsaturation; (ii) anhydride or C 1 to C s alcohol derived mono- or di-ester derivatives of (i); (iii) monounsaturated C 3 to C 10 monocarboxylic acids wherein the carbon-carbon double bond is allylic to the carboxy group; and (iv) of (iii) C 1 to Cs alcohol derived mono-or di-esters derivatives of (iii) and (b) at least one nucleophilic reagent selected from the group consisting of amines, alcohols, metal reactants and mixtures thereof, said dispersant having a VR value of less than 4.1.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 245 words

An oil soluble dispersant mixture useful as a lubricating oil additive comprising an adduct of: (a) an ethylene alpha-olefin polymer substituted with monounsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acid producing moieties, said polymer comprising monomer units derived from ethylene and at least one alpha-olefin of the formula H 2 C=CHR 1 wherein R' is an alkyl group of from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, and wherein said polymer has a number average molecular weight of from 700 to 10,000 and an average of at least 30% of said polymer chains contain terminal ethenylidene unsaturation and wherein said substituted polymer is characterized by a VR value of less than 4.1, said acid producing moieties being derived from at least one monounsaturated carboxylic reactant selected from the group consisting of (i) monounsaturated C 4 to C 1 o dicarboxylic acids wherein (a) the carboxyl groups are attached to adjacent carbon atoms and (b) at least one, preferably both, of said adjacent carbon atoms are part of said monounsaturation; (ii) anhydride or C 1 to C s alcohol derived mono- or di-ester derivatives of (i); (iii) monounsaturated C 3 to C 10 monocarboxylic acids wherein the carbon-carbon double bond is allylic to the carboxy group; and (iv) of (iii) C 1 to Cs alcohol derived mono-or di-esters derivatives of (iii) and (b) at least one nucleophilic reagent selected from the group consisting of amines, alcohols, metal reactants and mixtures thereof, said dispersant having a VR value of less than 4.1.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 20 words

The dispersant adduct according to claim 27 wherein said acid producing moieties comprise succinic anhydride, succinic acid or propionic acid.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 27 words

The dispersant adduct according to claim 27 or claim 28 wherein the lubricating oil dispersant is characterized by a VR'NR r value ratio of less than 1.11.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 34 words

The dispersant adduct according to any of claims 27 to 29 wherein the nucleophilic reagent comprises an amine contaiing from 2 to 60 carbon atoms and from 1 to 12 nitrogen atoms per molecule.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 12 words

The dispersant adduct according to claim 30 wherein said amine comprises polyethylenepolyamine.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 88 words

The dispersant adduct according to any of claims 27 to 31 wherein said nucleophilic reagent comprises an amido-amine or a thioamido-amine characterized by being a reaction product of at least a polyamine and an alpha, beta-unsaturated compound of the formula: wherein X is sulfur or oxygen, Y is -OR 4 , -SR 4 , or -NR 4 (R 5 ), and R 1 , R 2 ,. R 3 , R 4 and R 5 are the same or different and are hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 26 words

The dispersant adduct according to claim 32, wherein said polyamine contains from 2 to 60 carbon atoms and from 1 to 12 nitrogen atoms per molecule.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 65 words

The dispersant according to claim 32, wherein said polyamine comprises polyalkylenepolyamine wherein said alkylene groups each contain 2 to 6 carbons and said polyalkylenepolyamine contains 5 to 9 nitrogen atoms per molecule, and said alpha, beta-unsaturated compound comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, propyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, propyl methacrylate, and butyl methacrylate.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 30 words

The dispersant according to claim 34 wherein from 1 to 5 moles of said acid producing moieties per primary nitrogen equivalent of said amido-amine are present in said reaction mixture.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 30 words

The dispersant adduct according to any of claims 27 35 wherein said dispersant adduct is borated to provide from 0.05 to 2.0 weight percent boron in said borated dispersant adduct.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 27 words

The dispersant adduct according to any of claims 27 to 36 wherein the lubricating oil dispersant is characterized by a VR value of from 2.5 to 4.0.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 16 words

The dispersant adduct according to any of claims 27 or 37 wherein said alpha-olefin is propylene.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 21 words

A lubricating oil concentrate containing from 20 to 60 wt. % of the dispersant of any of claims 27 to 38.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 22 words

A lubricating oil composition containing from about 0.1 to 20 wt. % of the dispersant of any of claims 27 to 38.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 24 words

A lubricating oil concentrate containing from 1 to 80 wt. % of the substituted ethylene alpha-olefin polymer of any of claims 1 to 15.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 23 words

A lubricating-oil composition containing from 5 to 70 wt. % of the substituted ethylene alpha-olefin polymer of any of claims 1 to 15.

Ethylene alpha-olefin polymer substituted mono-and dicarboxylic acid lubricant dispersant additives

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