Metal overbased and gelled natural oils

Abstract

A metal overbased composition is disclosed that comprises (A) at least one natural oil comprising an animal oil or vegetable oil comprising a triglyceride of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 arc independently saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl groups containing from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms and (B) a metal base oxide (MO), hydroxide (MOH) or alkoxide (R.sup.4 OM) wherein the metal comprises an alkali or alkaline earth and R.sup.4 is a hydrocarbyl group containing from about 1 to about 24 carbon atoms, and wherein the equivalent ratio of (A):(B) is from 0.90-10:1 to form a saponified intermediate, adding 2-11 equivalents of (B) per equivalent of formed saponified intermediate and reacting excess (B) with (C) an acidic gas comprising carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide or sulfur trioxide. This composition may also be gelled to produce a rheology control agent.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.