Producing lubricating base oils from coal-based chemicals is an alternative route for replacing the conventional petro-based lubricants. Herein, we firstly reported the synthesis of high-viscosity polyalkylphenanthrene oils derived from the coal-based chemicals (phenanthrene, C6/C8-olefins) by alkylation with acidic ionic liquid (Et 3 NHClÁ2AlCl 3 ) as catalyst. Their primary physicochemical properties were studied in detail to reveal their structure-property relationships, the existence of the phenanthrene ring in their molecular structure led to some good property, such as high-kinematic viscosity (12.6-30.2 mm 2 Ás À1 at 100 C), better flash point (>230 C), high-oxidative onset time (>230 C) and good polarity. Moreover, the tribological performances of the synthetic oils and the commercial PAO-20 lubricating base oil were studied for comparison, these alkylated phenanthrenes, especially PHP-3 and POP-3, exhibited much higher load-carrying capacity, reducing friction and anti-wear property than that observed on PAO-20.