Less Corrosive Organic Compounds as Lubricant Additives

This invention involves the development of less corrosive, high performing organic compounds with applications as additives in lubricants. Lubricants containing these compounds have demonstrated improved performance with respect to friction reduction, wear protection, and copper and lead corrosion. In particular, the compounds of the invention are N-[3-[(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)(3-alkoxypropyl)amino]propyl]alkylamides, and unsaturated or branched N-[2-[(2,3-dihydroxypropyl) (2-hydroxyethyl) amino]ethyl]-alkylamides.
The claimed compounds represent a new class of additives capable of meeting or exceeding the frictional and wear performance of traditional additives while significantly reducing the severity of the observed copper and lead corrosion. This inventive class of compounds is particularly useful in both passenger car motor oil and heavy-duty diesel engine oil applications where high performing, more durable friction modifier and/or anti-wear additives are required in terms of oxidative and hydrolytic stability.