Abstract: A synthetic oil composition comprises a major portion by weight of synthetic base oil having a kinetic viscosity of from about 1.5 to 2.5 cSt at 100.degree. C. and a minor portion by weight of one or more property enhancing additives for said base oil, said base oil comprising a major portion by weight of dimer of 1-decene, said dimer having a kinetic viscosity of less than about 250 cSt at -40.degree. C., a kinetic viscosity of less than about 1,000 cSt at -54.degree. C. and a pour point of less than about -65.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for removing vinylidene olefin from an olefin mixture containing about 1 to 55 mole percent vinylidene olefin, 0 to 20 mole percent internal olefin and the balance vinyl olefin, said process comprising:(a) reacting said olefin mixture in the presence of a BF.sub.3 /phosphorus acid catalyst system so as to selectively dimerize vinylidene olefins, and(b) separating said vinyl olefin and internal olefin from the dimerized vinylidene olefin to produce an olefin product having a reduced vinylidene olefin content and an increased vinyl olefin content compared to said starting olefin mixture.

Abstract: Unsaturated .alpha.-olefin oligomers are topped to remove monomer and dimer and then distilled to remove a trimer fraction leaving a residue of tetramer, pentamer and higher oligomers. The trimer fraction is hydrogenated to form saturated .alpha.-olefin oligomer suitable for use as a lubricant.

Abstract: Synlubes having a consistently low pour point are made by feeding a promoter (e.g. water, alcohol) at a controlled rate over an extended time period to an .alpha.-olefin (e.g. 1-decene) in contact with boron trifluoride.

Abstract: C.sub.8-14 .alpha.-olefins are oligomerized to a oligomer mixture containing a high content of tetramer by feeding the .alpha.-olefin to a reaction vessel at a controlled rate over an extended period and in the presence of BF.sub.3 and a promoter such as an alcohol.