Previously synthesized C36‐dimer acids (DA) have been esterified (97 ± 0.2% conversion at 120 °C for 72 hours) with 2‐ethylhexanol (2‐EH) to produce a new class of C52‐DA 2‐EH esters that have potential application in biolubricant formulations such as base oils and additives. Investigation of physicochemical and lubricant properties showed the bio‐based esters have good solubility in commercial base stocks such as polyalpha olefin (PAO‐6) (>20 w/w) and high‐oleic sunflower oil (HOSuO) (>20 w/w). The neat C52‐DA 2‐EH esters displayed a three‐ to eightfold higher kinematic viscosity and comparable viscosity index (VI = 134) as a commercial base stock, PAO‐6 (VI =137). Both C52‐DA 2‐EH esters, whose parent C36‐DA were synthesized with two different zeolite catalysts, were oxidatively stable above 176 °C. Blending C52‐DA 2‐EH esters in HOSuO improved the pour point (PP) of HOSuO from −18.8 to −21.0 °C at 1% w/w and the cloud point (CP) from −6.3 to −10.6 °C at 8% w/w of C52‐DA 2‐EH ester 1. A similar trend was observed for C52‐DA 2‐EH ester 2, indicating that the esters possess PP depressant (PPD) characteristics in HOSuO blends. Blending C52‐DA 2‐EH esters in PAO‐6 increased the VI of PAO‐6, which is an indication that the bio‐based esters were acting as VI improvers (VII). It was concluded that C52‐DA 2‐EH esters can be employed commercially as bio‐based base oils and as PPD and VII additives in lubricant formulations.

The negative impact of the synthetic antimicrobials and the overuse of antibiotics have caused global concern, which necessitates the development of a new form of antimicrobials that are derived from natural compounds. In this study, the synthetic route of producing water soluble iso-fatty acid arginate hydrochloride derivatives is investigated by introducing branched (iso-) chain and other linear- (n-) chain fatty acids to the amino acid “arginine” molecules. The two-step synthesis is straightforward and provides an efficient 91%, 88%, and 76% product yield for ethyl n-lauroyl arginate hydrochloride, ethyl n-oleoyl arginate hydrochloride, and ethyl iso-oleoyl arginate hydrochloride, respectively. ATR-FT-IR, NMR, and LC-MS-Q-TOF techniques are used to thoroughly characterize the products. The antimicrobial characteristic of the synthesized ethyl n-lauroyl arginate (LAE) shows a similar activity against both Gram+ and Gram- bacteria as the commercial LAE product. However, its analogs are found to have antimicrobial property primarily against Gram-positive bacteria.