Process for reducing the corrosivity of phenol sulfides

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention is directed to the discovery that sulfurized phenols, i.e., phenol sulfides, disulfides, polysulfides and oligomers thereof as well as mixtures of the foregoing prepared for example by reaction phenol with sulfur halides are oxidation inhibitors, antiwear and extreme pressure additives for organic compositions such as oils of lubricating viscosity, solid lubricants such as greases prepared from said oils and functional fluids such as hydraulic fluids. This invention is more particularly directed to a method of improving the anti-corrosion properties of lubricant compositions containing said sulfurized phenols comprising treating said sulfurized phenols with alkyl vinyl ethers thereby making them far less corrosive or even non-corrosive to metals, particularly to copper or copper-containing alloys.

#2. Description of the Prior Art

#Having generally described the invention the following specific material and examples are merely exemplary of the invention and no limitations, express or otherwise, are intended thereby.

#A typical solvent refined mineral oil base stock having a viscosity of 200 SUS at 100.degree. F.

#Reaction of 2-Methyl-4-tert-butylphenol with Sulfur Monochloride. To a solution of 2-methyl-4-tert-butylphenol (82.2 g) in petroleum ether (200 ml) cooled to 8.degree. C. there was added over about 5 hrs. sulfur monochloride (33.7 g). The temperature was maintained at 6.degree.-8.degree. C. After an additional 20 hrs. the reaction mixture cooled in an ice bath was treated with dilute ammonium hydroxide and extracted with benzene. Removal of solvent from the washed and dried benzene extract left the sulfurized phenol, 93 g of reddish oil. Elemental analysis gave C, 67.66; H, 7.92; S, 15.0; and Cl, 0.1 percent.