Novel bis imidazole ethers of the formula:
in which R is a normal alkyl group having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms and R′ is a normal alkyl group having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkylaryl group having from 7 to 20 carbon atoms, or an aryl group of 6 to 10 carbon atoms. The ethers can be used as metal deactivators in lubricants.