High viscosity, functionalized metallocene polyalphaolefin base stocks and processes for preparing same

1. A process for producing a functionalized metallocene polyalphaolefin (mPAO) fluid, said process comprising:

providing a mPAO having a terminal double bond, said mPAO produced by the metallocene-catalyzed oligomerization or polymerization of an alpha-olefin feed,

providing at least one of a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl thiol, aryl thiol, diphenylamine; and

reacting, optionally in the presence of a catalyst or initiator, the mPAO having a terminal double bond with at least one of the substituted or unsubstituted alkyl thiol, aryl thiol, diphenylamine, under reaction conditions sufficient to produce the functionalized mPAO fluid;

wherein the functionalized mPAO fluid has a viscosity (Kv 100 ) from 135 to 900 cSt at 100° C.; a viscosity index (VI) greater than 150; a pour point (PP) less than −25° C.; a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) less than 2.0; a residual unsaturation (Bromine Number) less than 2.0; and a glass transition temperature T g less than −30° C.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein the functionalized mPAO fluid has an oxidative stability, as determined by Pressure Differential Scanning Calorimetry (PDSC), at least 1.10× greater than oxidative stability of an as synthesized mPAO that has not been hydrogenated.

3. The process of claim 1 wherein the functionalized mPAO fluid has an as-synthesized Bromine Number of 1.8 or less.

4. The process of claim 1 wherein the functionalized mPAO fluid has an as-synthesized Bromine Number of 1.4 or less.

5. The process of claim 1 wherein the functionalized mPAO fluid has, as synthesized, a viscosity (Kv 100 ) from 150 to 900 cSt at 100° C.; a viscosity index (VI) greater than 200; a pour point (PP) less than −30° C.; a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) less than 1.90; a residual unsaturation (Bromine Number) less than 1.8; and a glass transition temperature T g less than −40° C.

6. The process of claim 1 wherein the functionalized mPAO fluid comprises a lubricating oil base stock or co-base stock.

7. A method for improving oxidative stability of a metallocene polyalphaolefin (mPAO) fluid, said method comprising:

providing a mPAO having a terminal double bond, said mPAO produced by the metallocene-catalyzed oligomerization or polymerization of an alpha-olefin feed,

providing at least one of a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl thiol, aryl thiol, diphenylamine; and

reacting, optionally in the presence of a catalyst or initiator, the mPAO having a terminal double bond with at least one of the substituted or unsubstituted alkyl thiol, aryl thiol, diphenylamine, under reaction conditions sufficient to produce a functionalized mPAO fluid;

wherein the functionalized mPAO fluid has, as synthesized, a viscosity (Kv 100 ) from 135 to 900 cSt at 100° C.; a viscosity index (VI) greater than 150; a pour point (PP) less than −25° C.; a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) less than 2.0; a residual unsaturation (Bromine Number) less than 2.0; and a glass transition temperature T g less than −30° C.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the functionalized mPAO fluid has an oxidative stability, as determined by Pressure Differential Scanning Calorimetry (PDSC), at least 1.10× greater than oxidative stability of an as synthesized mPAO that has not been hydrogenated.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the functionalized mPAO fluid has an as-synthesized Bromine Number of 1.8 or less.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the functionalized mPAO fluid has an as-synthesized Bromine Number of 1.4 or less.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein the functionalized mPAO fluid has, as synthesized, a viscosity (Kv 100 ) from 150 to 900 cSt at 100° C.; a viscosity index (VI) greater than 200; a pour point (PP) less than −30° C.; a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) less than 1.90; a residual unsaturation (Bromine Number) less than 1.8; and a glass transition temperature T g less than −40° C.

12. The method of claim 7 wherein the functionalized mPAO fluid comprises a lubricating oil base stock or co-base stock.

13. A functionalized metallocene polyalphaolefin (mPAO) fluid prepared by the process of claim 1 .

14. The functionalized metallocene polyalphaolefin (mPAO) fluid of claim 13 which has an oxidative stability, as determined by Pressure Differential Scanning Calorimetry (PDSC), at least 1.10× greater than oxidative stability of an as synthesized mPAO that has not been hydrogenated.

15. The functionalized metallocene polyalphaolefin (mPAO) fluid of claim 13 which comprises a lubricating oil base stock or co-base stock.

16. The functionalized metallocene polyalphaolefin (mPAO) fluid of claim 13 which has a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 300 to 800 cSt, an as-synthesized Mw/Mn of 1.9 or less, and an as-synthesized Bromine Number of less than 1.9.

17. A functionalized metallocene polyalphaolefin (mPAO) base stock or co-base stock prepared by the process of claim 1 .

18. A lubricating oil comprising (i) a base stock comprising the functionalized metallocene polyalphaolefin (mPAO) base stock of claim 17 , or (ii) a conventional base stock and a co-base stock, wherein the co-base stock comprises the functionalized metallocene polyalphaolefin (mPAO) base stock of claim 17 .

19. The lubricating oil of claim 18 wherein the lubricating oil base stock is present in an amount from 85 weight percent to 99 weight percent, based on the total weight of the lubricating oil.

20. The lubricating oil of claim 18 wherein the lubricating oil further comprises one or more of a viscosity improver, antioxidant, detergent, dispersant, pour point depressant, corrosion inhibitor, metal deactivator, seal compatibility additive, anti-foam agent, inhibitor, and anti-rust additive.