An oil-soluble sulfur- and phosphorus-free organic molybdenum complex (MC) was synthesized. The antioxidation properties of MC- and methylene bis(di-n-butyldithiocarbamate) (V 7723)-containing poly-alpha-olefin (PAO)-derived lubricants were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and modified penn state micro-oxidation test (PMOT). DSC test measures incipient oxidation temperature (OT) and oxidation induction time (IT) of the lubricant at high temperatures and the oxidation stability of oil weight loss is measured by PMOT test. DSC test shows that OT and IT of V 7723-containing PAO were improved significantly by MC addition. PMOT test indicates that when combining with V 7723 antioxidants, MC can also effectively reduce the increase in weight loss of PAO. These results suggest that the MC shows a good oxidative synergism with V 7723 antioxidant. In addition, FTIR results from PMOT test confirm that addition of MC can significantly enhance the oxidation induction time of oils and inhibit formation of oxidation products containing carbonyl bonds or hydroxyl group. The proposed mechanism of the inhibition involves a synergy between MC and V 7723. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.