Preparation of silicon‐based soybean base oil by modified soybean oil by transesterification and hydrosilation

A new green lubricating base oil was synthesized from soybean oil and triethyl silane by a combination of transesterification and hydrosilylation. The factors affecting the process of hydrosilylation were thoroughly investigated. AlCl3/C catalyst as catalyst for hydrosilylation showed better catalytic performance, and a higher yield of 36.79% was obtained under optimal condition of molar ratio of transesterified soybean oils/triethyl silane (1:1.1), reaction temperature 120 degrees C, and reaction time 8 h. In addition, the performance of silicon-based soybean base oil was tested according to industry standards. Compared with soybean oil, silicon-based soybean base oil was obtained with high viscosity index, good pour point of -17 degrees C, and excellent wear characteristic.