DE2506735

1503591 Hydrocarbons; lubricants MONSANTO CO 18 Feb 1975 [19 Feb 1974 28 March 1974] 6770/75 Headings C5E and C5F Linear dimers of alpha-methylstyrenes are made by contacting the monomers with a catalyst such as a mixture of phosphorus oxychloride or oxybromide with a strong mineral acid, e.g. HCl, HBr, H 3 PO 4 , HNO 3 , H 2 SO 4 or an aqueous solution of any of these. Other catalysts are activated montmorillonite and Lewis acids. The isomeric composition of the dimers in the product depends on reaction temperature; 1-pentene derivatives predominate at 0‹ to 80‹ C., 2-pentene derivatives at 90‹ to 130‹ C. Bicyclohexyl-alkanes are made by hydrogenating these dimers, using conventional catalysts, preferably in a solvent. Rolling-contact bearings are lubricated by the use of a lubricant of which the base stock is or contains a major amount of one or more hydrogenated dimers or trimers of alpha-methylstyrene, containing less than 20% of hydrindan derivatives. Bearings that form part of a traction drive mechanism in which the same fluid is used as traction fluid and as lubricant for the bearing are excluded.