Flat viscosity fluids and lubricating oils based on liquid crystal base stocks

A lubricating oil comprising a lubricant base stock including one or more liquid crystals, wherein the one or more liquid crystals are represented by the formula:

• R1-(A)m-Y—(B)n—R2
• wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and are a substituted or unsubstituted, alkyl or alkoxy group having from about 0 to about 24 carbon atoms;
• A and B are the same or different and are a cycloaliphatic group or aromatic group, provided at least one of A and B is an aromatic group;
• Y is a covalent bond, —CH2—CH2—, —CH═CH—, —OCOO—, —COO—, —CO—, —CSO—, —CSS—, —CS—, —O—, —S—, —SO—, —SO2—, —CH2O—, —OCH2O—, —NO—, —ONO2, COOH, OH, or —C≡N;
• and m and n are independently 0, 1, 2 or 3;
• wherein the lubricant base stock has a kinematic viscosity of 2 cSt to 28 cSt at 40° C. and a kinematic viscosity of 1 cSt to 12 cSt at 100° C., as determined according to ASTM D445;
• and
• optionally one or more viscosity modifiers.

A method for improving viscosity temperature performance or viscosity index of a lubricating oil used in an engine or other mechanical component comprising the steps of:

• providing a lubricating oil as a formulated oil to an engine or other mechanical component, said formulated oil having a composition comprising at least one lubricating oil base stock including one or more liquid crystals represented by the formula:
• R1-(A)m-Y—(B)n—R2
• wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and are a substituted or unsubstituted, alkyl or alkoxy group having from about 0 to about 24 carbon atoms;
• A and B are the same or different and are a cycloaliphatic group or aromatic group, provided at least one of A and B is an aromatic group;
• Y is a covalent bond, —CH2—CH2—, —CH═CH—, —OCOO—, —COO—, —CO—, —CSO—, —CSS—, —CS—, —O—, —S—, —SO—, —SO2—, —CH2O—, —OCH2O—, —NO—, —ONO2, COOH, OH or —C≡N;
• and m and n are independently 0, 1, 2 or 3;
• wherein the lubricant base stock has a kinematic viscosity of 2 cSt to 28 cSt at 40° C. and a kinematic viscosity of 1 cSt to 12 cSt at 100° C., as determined according to ASTM D445;
• and
• optionally one or more viscosity modifiers;
• and
• measuring viscosity temperature performance or viscosity index of the engine or other mechanical component lubricated with the lubricating oil;
• and
• wherein the viscosity temperature performance or viscosity index is improved as compared to viscosity temperature performance or viscosity index achieved using a comparable lubricating oil not including the lubricating oil base stock comprising the one or more liquid crystals.