Molybdenum Succinimide Complex Preparation via Low-Temperature Reaction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing molybdenum succinimide complexes used in lubricating oils face issues with sulfur compatibility, leading to corrosion and emission control problems, and require high temperatures for maleic anhydride treatment, resulting in products with lower molybdenum content and undesirable physical properties.

Innovation Solution

A process involving the reaction of alkyl or alkenyl succinimides of polyamines with α,β-unsaturated mono-carboxylic acids or esters at temperatures no greater than 135°C, followed by treatment with an acidic molybdenum compound, to produce a liquid molybdated succinimide complex with improved molybdenum content and physical properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If maleic anhydride treatment is used to prepare molybdenum succinimide complexes, then the complexes can be produced, but the treatment requires high temperatures resulting in products with lower molybdenum content and undesirable physical properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemolybdenum contentVSAvoidtreatment temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the treatment agent from maleic anhydride to α,β-unsaturated mono-carboxylic acids or esters (such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, and their esters). This parameter change allows the treatment to proceed at lower temperatures (no greater than 135°C) while maintaining or improving molybdenum content in the final complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If high treatment temperatures are used, then the reaction can proceed, but the product has undesirable physical properties and lower molybdenum content

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct qualityVSAvoidreaction temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters by replacing maleic anhydride with α,β-unsaturated mono-carboxylic acids or esters. This change enables the reaction to achieve high product quality with desirable physical properties at reduced temperatures (≤135°C), thereby improving manufacturing precision without requiring high thermal energy input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Force

If sulfur-containing compounds are used for friction reduction, then friction can be reduced, but corrosion and emission control problems occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefriction reductionVSAvoidcorrosion and emission issues
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts sulfur from the chemical composition by using sulfur-free α,β-unsaturated mono-carboxylic acids or esters instead of sulfur-containing compounds. This extraction eliminates corrosion and emission control problems while maintaining the friction reduction function through the molybdenum complex formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of sulfur-containing compounds (corrosion and emission problems) into a benefit by completely eliminating sulfur from the formulation. The α,β-unsaturated mono-carboxylic acids or esters provide an alternative chemical pathway that achieves friction reduction without the harmful side effects, turning a potentially harmful chemical approach into a beneficial sulfur-free solution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The process results in a molybdated succinimide complex that is liquid at room temperature, with increased molybdenum content, improved Total Basic Nitrogen (TBN), and enhanced wear and friction reduction performance, while avoiding particulate matter and corrosion issues.

Implementation Method 1

reacting an alkyl or alkenyl succinimide of a polyamine with an α,β-unsaturated mono-carboxylic acid or ester

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

reacting the succinimide product of step (a) with an acidic molybdenum compound to provide the molybdated succinimide complex

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP2665705B1Improved process for preparation of low molecular weight molybdenum succinimide complexes
Publication Date: 2017.03.01 CHEVRON ORONITE CO LLC

AI summary

Disclosed is a process for preparing a molybdated succinimide complex, the process comprising: (a) reacting an alkyl or alkenyl succinimide of a polyamine of formula (I) or formula (II) or mixtures thereof: with an a,ß-unsaturated mono-carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid ester, and wherein the reaction temperature is no greater than about 135°C; and (b) reacting the succinimide product of step (a) with an acidic molybdenum compound to provide the molybdated succinimide complex, wherein the molybdated succinimide complex prepared is a liquid at room temperature.