AbstractTo study the relationship between structure and properties of members of the lipidic thiobis phenol series, as extreme pressure additives in lubricants, a series of homologous compounds has been synthesised by the reaction of alkylphenols with sulphur dichloride. The isomeric n‐nonylphenols have been reacted to form the C9 isomeric 2,2′‐and 4,4′‐thiobisphenols. Longer alkyl side‐chains resulted mainly in the formation of 4,4′‐thiobisphenols and some of the 2,2′ isomer. With short alkyl, particularly t‐alkyl side‐chains, steric hindrance resulted in the 2,2′‐compound. Additive studies have indicated that the longer chain 4,4′ compounds possessed antioxidant properties comparable and superior to former commercial branched chain 2,2′ compounds produced from petrochemical intermediates.
A magnesium phenate is prepared by a process which comprises reacting (1) magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium carbonate, magnesium bicarbonate or a magnesium carboxylate with (2) a phenol, a methylene bis-phenol or a sulphurised phenol in the presence of (3) a solvent comprising an organic compound containing one or more alcoholic hydroxyl groups e.g. an alkoxy alcohol and (4) a promoter selected from a ketone, diketone such as α or β diketone, aldehyde or carboxylic acid and (5) optionally a diluent oil. This magnesium phenate may be used as a detergent for a lubricating oil.