Novel refrigeration lubricants for use with HFC refrigerants

A series of fluorinated alkyl aryl ethers composed of hydrocarbon components, fluorinated alkyl groups and ether linkage groups were evaluated as refrigeration lubricants for use with hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants. The novel structure of these lubricants eliminates the problems of poor stability and high moisture absorption that are associated with conventional refrigeration lubricants for use with HFC refrigerants, such as polyalkylene glycol or polyol ester, which have a polar structure. The fluorinated alkyl aryl ethers show high miscibility with HFC refrigerants, high stability, excellent lubricity, and low moisture absorption. These characteristics make fluorinated alkyl aryl ethers well suited to serve as refrigeration lubricants for use with HFC refrigerants.