Hydrocarbyl ethers of sulfur-containing hydroxyl derived aromatics as synthetic lubricant base stocks

A method of preparing a lubricant composition comprising adding to a lubricant of lubricating viscosity or grease and an effective amount of an additive product of reaction prepared by reacting a hydroxyl-derived aromatic with an alkyl halide in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst as described below;

• ##STR2## where R, R.sub.1 are hydrogen or C.sub.1 to C.sub.30 hydrocarbyl and optionally contain sulfur, nitrogen and/or oxygen;
• X=Cl, Br, I;
• R and R.sub.1 can be the same or different, and at least one of R or R.sub.1 must be hydrocarbyl and y=1-3, and wherein the reaction is carried out at temperatures varying from ambient to about 250.degree. C. under pressures varying from ambient to about 1,000 psig or is autogenous for a time sufficient to obtain the desired additive product of reaction and wherein the reaction is carried out in molar ratios of reactants varying from equimolar to more than molar to less than molar thereby obtaining an aromatic additive product containing hydrocarbyl ethers of a sulfur-containing hydroxyl-derived aromatic that imparts to said lubricant improved catalytic thermal/oxidative stabilities, concomitantly with improved antiwear and load-carrying properties.