In this work, multiple interactions are considered to designedly synthesize salicylate derivatives as lubricants (S-C6, S-C8 and S-C10), and explore their effects on lubrication performances on steel-steel mating surfaces, compared to commercial isooctyl sebacate lubricant (1088). The optimal reduction by 13.3% in coefficient of friction and 70.2% in wear volume is achieved. The hypothetical lubrication mechanism reveals that cooperation of multiple interactions including coordination, cation center dot center dot center dot pi, pi center dot center dot center dot pi stacking and van der Waal probably exists to drive salicylate molecules into forming a robust and thickened lubrication film with multi-layered structures shearing easily, which ensures the excellent lubrication. In contrary, either weak coordination or/and van der Waal's interactions exists for 1088. This finding will push forward the recognition of lubrication explorations into the molecular level.