Poly-α-olefin-based synthetic lubricants: a short review on various synthetic routes

ABSTRACT This paper reviews various synthetic protocols for poly‐α‐olefin (PAO) synthetic lubricant base stocks that have evolved over the years. Apart from conventional Lewis acid catalysts known for the synthesis of poly‐α‐olefins, such as aluminium trichloride and boron trifluoride, several new catalysts such as metallocenes and ionic liquids have been reported by various researchers. With increasing options of catalytic processes available, it is now possible to produce tailor made PAOs and thus control the properties of the end products, such as viscosity and the viscosity index. Although 1‐decene is the most widely used monomer for PAO application, researchers have used a wide range of monomers from 1‐hexene to 1‐tetradecene and internal olefins in some cases. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.