Polymer for lubricant compositions and method of forming the same

A polymer comprises a polymeric backbone, at least one piperidine ester moiety extending from the polymeric back-bone, and generally at least one C8 to C22 ester moiety extending from the polymeric backbone. The polymer is useful for adjusting the total base number and viscosity index of a lubricant composition. The lubricant composition generally comprises a base oil in addition to the polymer. A method of forming the polymer comprises the steps of providing a first component and providing a second component. The first component comprises at least one of A1) a piperidine methacrylate, or A2) a methacrylate. The second component comprises at least one of B) a C8 to C22 methacrylate. Optionally, the method further comprises the step of providing a third component, which comprises at least one of C) a piperidine-ol. The method further comprises at least one reaction step involving the aforementioned components to form the polymer.