A green approach to synthesize polybutene lubricants from mixed C4 monomers using supported dendritic ionic liquids.

[Display omitted] • High-performance lubricants: Polyisobutylenes (PIBs) and polybutenes (PBs) meet extreme industrial conditions. • The innovative Boehmite-supported ionic liquids (B-ILs) enhance Raffinate-1 polymerization. • Improved process since B-ILs reduce AlCl 3 usage, boosting safety and cutting costs. • Characterization success including FTIR, TGA, SEM, and XRD confirm ILs synthesis and stability. • PBs show high kinematic viscosity and VI, effective across temperatures. Lubricants, composed of a base oil and various additives, reduce friction and abrasion between moving surfaces. High-performance lubricants, especially in the automotive and space industries, have driven advancements in synthetic oils like polyalphaolefins (PAOs), known for their high viscosity index and stability. Low molecular weight polyisobutylenes (PIBs) are used in multiple applications, including as viscosity improvers. PIBs are produced via cationic polymerization of isobutylene using Lewis acid initiators and co-initiators, often conducted at low temperatures with harmful substances like BF 3. Efforts are being made to develop more eco-friendly processes, such as using AlCl 3 and ionic liquids (ILs). In this research, boehmite-supported dendritic ILs (Gen1 and Gen2) were synthesized and tested as co-initiators in Raffinate-1 polymerization. The ILs improved the stability of the catalytic system, allowing for reduced AlCl 3 usage, and produced PIBs with desirable molecular weight and viscosity characteristics. Density Functional Theory calculations unveiled the importance of the interaction of AlCl 3 with the ionic liquids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]