A new two-stage process is elaborated to produce ester oils with dialkyl carbonate structure
which show a very good characteristic in view of their use as lubricants. Di-2-ethylhexyl carbonate
and di-3,5,5-trimethylhexyl carbonate were synthesized by transesterification of dimethyl
carbonate with 2-ethylhexanol and 3,5,5-trimethylhexanol, respectively. Some oxides, hydroxides,
and methoxides of sodium, magnesium, calcium, barium, and aluminum were studied as catalysts
for this reaction. Calcium methoxide appeared to be the most suitable, due to its high activity
and ease of separation from the reaction mixture. The reaction conditions were mild. The
synthesis was carried out under atmospheric pressure at temperatures not higher than 120 °C
reaching a relatively high yield of 65−70%. The synthesized oils were characterized by high
purity (above 98%) and excellent physicochemical properties. They show a low pour point, a
good miscibility with hydrocarbon oils, and a high thermal-oxidative stability.