Abstract: The invention is a process for producing alkaline earth metal salicylates for use as lubricant detergents and to compositions prepared by the process. The process comprises two steps. Step 1 is the alkylation of salicylic acid is conducted using C14 or greater linear &agr;-olefins to produce alkyl salicylic acids in commercially acceptable yields. The alkylation conditions produce predominately mono-substituted para alkyl salicylic acids that are oil soluble. Step 2 is the oil soluble acid is subsequently neutralized and overbased by carbonation of lime using CO2 in the presence of a promoter and a surfactant. The reaction mixture after overbasing is filtered and solvents are removed by distillation. Alternatively, alkyl salicylic acid can be reacted with a previously overbased alkaline earth sulfonate, e.g., calcium sulfonate, to produce alkaline earth salicylate salts comprising varying percentages of dispersed alkaline earth carbonate salts.

Abstract: An overbased calcium sulfonate detergent having a high viscosity is characterized by forming a clear solution in lubricating oil, having a TBN of about 400 or more, and having a viscosity of at least 180 mm2/s at 100° C. The high viscosity of the detergent allows for reduction in expensive high viscosity oil components of marine cylinder oils while maintaining selected TBN and viscosity parameters in the finished oil.

Abstract: Viscosity increase or drift control occurs in overbased detergents in storage over time and particularly at elevated temperatures. Viscosity drift is now controlled by the addition of additive amounts of a compound having an oleophilic group and further having secondary hydroxyl functionality to a detergent in storage prior to incorporation in a finished oil. Additions of this control agent in additive amounts of about 0.1 to 5.0%, and preferably 0.25 to 1.0%, by weight effected minimal viscosity drift of no more than about 10% where the detergent was stored at elevated temperatures of about 37° C. to 82° C. for about 4 weeks. The degree of viscosity drift control is proportional to the amount of control agent added to the overbased detergent. Preferred viscosity drift control agents are alkylated phenols such as dinonyl phenol, vegetable oils such as canola oil and jojoba oil, and hydroxy carboxylic acids such as 12-hydroxy stearic acid.

Abstract: A hazy dispersion of a calcite-containing sulfonate detergent in oil is clarified by a process including the steps of: a) adding to the dispersion at least one acidifying compound selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide; sulfur dioxide; organosulfonic acids having a molecular weight of at least 350; and organic carboxylic acids, diacids and anhydrides, containing at least 7 carbon atoms, b) reacting the dispersion in the presence of the acidifying compound, water, and at least one volatile organic solvent, and c) removing volatiles from the so-reacted dispersion by vaporization.

Abstract: An overbased magnesium composition deposit control additive for residual fuel oils and turbine fuels is an overbased magnesium sulfonate, carboxylate or phenate or mixtures thereof containing at least 14% and upwards to about 18% by weight of magnesium and containing a succinic anhydride and lower carboxylic acid co-promoter reaction product. The additive when added to fuel oils, such as residual fuel oils containing high asphaltenes, reduces, if not eliminates, magnesium/asphaltene deposits or sediment and the consequential plugging of filters. The additive also reduces, if not eliminates, vanadium caused corrosion in the turbine. The invention is also the process for preparing the overbased composition or deposit control additive, wherein the overbasing reaction incorporates the combination of a lower carboxylic acid, preferably acetic acid and a succinic anhydride, preferably dodecenyl succinic anhydride (DDSA), as the co-promoter.

Abstract: An engine oil contains a lubricating oil and an overbased calcium sulfonate having a dispersion of calcite-core micelles, which engine oil has commercial haze free properties, namely a Hazitron test value of less than about 30 and more particularly less than about 15 to 10, and commercial anti-wear properties, namely exhibiting a 4-Ball wear test scar diameter of less than 0.4 mm. The detergent has a TBN of from 100 to 400 and yet a viscosity of no more than 100,000 cps at 25.degree. C. and usually 20,000 to 30,000 cps at 25.degree. C. The overbased calcium sulfonate detergent provides a stable dispersion of calcite-core sulfonate micelles in the oil. The calcite overbased sulfonate is substantially free of amorphous, vaterite and aragonite forms of the calcium carbonate. The method of producing the improved calcite-core dispersion overbased calcium sulfonate provides for reacting an overbased amorphous calcium sulfonate having a TBN of about 400 or more with a C.sub.1 to C.sub.

Abstract: The process of forming a non-Newtonian oil composition in the form of a grease comprising an overbased calcium sulfonate and solid particles of colloidally dispersed calcium carbonate in the form of calcite which comprises heating overbased calcium sulfonate, amorphous calcium carbonate and a converting agent comprising a fatty acid of twelve to twenty-four carbon atoms in an oleaginous medium.

Abstract: High performance overbased calcium sulfonate greases comprising up to about 28% by weight overbased calcium sulfonate, solid particles of colloidally dispersed calcium carbonate essentially in the form of calcite, a calcium soap of a fatty acid of twelve to twenty-four carbon atoms, and oleaginous vehicle wherein at a concentration of about 28% by weight overbased calcium sulfonate said greases have a worked cone penetration rating of less than about 295.

Abstract: A composition and process for preparing an overbased calcium sulfonate, in which a specific class of compounds is employed as promoters in making overbased calcium sulfonates. These promoters give an enhanced efficiency of the conversion of lime to an oil-soluble dispersion of calcium carbonate. Low post-carbonation solids and high TBN (total base number of alkaline reserve) result from this improve promoter system. The process for preparing highly basic calcium sulfonate includes contacting an acidic gas at a temperature between 60.degree. F. to 103.degree. F., with a mixture of a sulfonic acid or calcium salt thereof, a hydrocarbon solvent, calcium hydroxide, a small quantity of co-promoter methanol, and up to 1.0% by weight of a compound with formula: ##STR1## where X=O, S, .dbd.CH, --CH.sub.2, --NH or --N.dbd.Y=O, N or S;R=H or, C.sub.1 to C.sub.50 ; andR'=H, CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH, or CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NH.sub.2 when Y is N, and zero when Y is O or S.

Abstract: An engine or lubricating oil containing 0.03 to 0.3% by weight of a succinic anhydride promoter reaction product for a overbased magnesium sulfonate, based on the presence of 0.5% by weight of Mg metal in the oil, and wherein the weight of the reaction product is commensurately proportional to the weight of Mg metal in the oil, and which oil is a free of post sulfonate formation water-tolerance additives, nevertheless passes the rigorous Cummins water tolerance test. Copromoters such as a naphthenic acid and/or a salicylic acid may be employed.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of overbased oil soluble magnesium sulfonates comprises contacting an acidic gas at a temperature between about 50.degree. F. up to the reflux temperature of the mixture, with a mixture consisting essentially of a sulfonic acid or salt thereof, a volatile aliphatic or aromatic or chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent, a non-volatile diluent oil, a light magnesium oxide, water, methanol and combination of promoters, wherein the first promoter is one selected from an oil soluble naphthenic acid and an oil soluble carboxylic acid or salt thereof; and a second promoter being one selected from: ##STR1## wherein X is one of H, OH, NH.sub.2, CO.sub.2 H, OCOCH.sub.3 and SH, and Y is one of H, CH.sub.3 and CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3, wherein the second promoter is less oil soluble than the first promoter; and (b) a water soluble C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 carboxylic acid.

Abstract: A process for preparing an over-based, oil-soluble magnesium salt of a sulphonic acid comprises contacting an acidic gas in the presence of a promoter system with a mixture of an oil-soluble magnesium salt of a sulphonic acid, a light magnesium oxide and an inert diluent. The promoter system comprises (1) a carboxylic compound selected from the group of compounds consisting of lower carboxylic acids, lower carboxylic anhydrides, substituted lower carboxylic acids, and metal salts and esters of lower carboxylic acids, (2) water, and optionally (3) a lower alkanol or lower alkoxy alkanol. The reaction is carried out at a temperature ranging from approximately 50.degree. F up to reflux temperature of the mixture. The volatile components are stripped from the reaction mixture after absorption of the acidic gas is at a desired level to give an over-based, oil-soluble magnesium salt of the sulphonic acid.