Patent ID: 8410033

Claim:
A method for making diester-based biolubricants comprising diester species, said method comprising the steps of: a) converting an olefin having a carbon number of from 6 to 30 to a vicinal diol, the vicinal diol having the same carbon number as the olefin from which it is derived and having a general formula: where R1 and R2 collectively contain from 4 to 28 carbon atoms, and wherein the diol is produced in a sub-process comprising the sub-steps of: i) formylating the internal olefin to form a hydroxyformate; and ii) hydrolyzing the hydroxyformate to yield a diol; and b) esterifying the vicinal diol with monoester species to form a diester species via transesterification, said monoester having a general formula: wherein R3,4 is a C2 to C17 hydrocarbon group, and wherein R5 is a C1 to C6 hydrocarbon group, and wherein the diester species has the following structure: wherein the diester species has a viscosity and pour point suitable for use as a lubricant or component thereof.