Normally liquid alpha-olefin oligomers useful as base stocks and viscosity index improvers, and lubricating oils containing same

Abstract

A lubricating oil composition comprising a normally liquid alpha-olefin oligomer consisting essentially of repeating units having the structural formula: ##STR1## wherein x represents an integer from 3 to 11, inclusive; and y represents the number of repeating units in the oligomer such that the weight average molecular weight is from about 5,000 to about 20,000; said oligomer having from about 70 to 100 percent head-to-tail alignment of the repeating units of the oligomer. Preferably the weight average molecular weight of the oligomer is from 5,000 to about 10,000; and said oligomer is further characterized as having a dispersity of less than about 5.5, and a Z average molecular weight of less than about 24,000.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.