Polymerized alkyl fumarates and process

Polymerized di-lauryl or di-tetradecyl fumarates [see Group IV (a)] are added to lubricating oils, diesel fuels, gas oil or kerosene as pour point depressants or viscosity index improvers. They may be used also as dewaxing aids and as additives to extreme pressure lubricants, cutting oils and transmission oils.ALSO:Di-lauryl or di-tetradecyl fumarate is polymerized, preferably by heating at 50 DEG to 150 DEG C. in the presence of catalysts or by the action of a silent electric discharge. Suitable catalysts are benzoyl, acetyl and urea peroxides, clay and alumina. The catalyst may be added portionwise. Solvents, e.g. heptane, iso-octane and cyclohexane, may be present and air may be excluded by an atmosphere of inert gas, e.g. nitrogen, hydrogen, methane, ethane, hydrogen chloride and sulphur dioxide. The crude polymer may be fractionally precipitated from solution in heptane or benzene by methyl, ethyl or isopropyl alcohol. The polymers may be added to lubricating oils, Diesel fuels, gas oil or kerosene as pour point depressants and viscosity index improvers.