Rosin chemical reactivities

The chemical reactivities of gum, wood, and tall oil rosin are significantly different due largely to their respective compositions. Table I shows typical chromatographic analyses of the three types of rosin C12. 13). It is interesting to note that the gum rosin contains the least amount of the inert dehydroabietic acid among the three types of rosin, and as expected, it exhibits the greatest adduct potential toward a dieneophile such as maleic anhydride. 

Rosin exploitation, a part of the so-called Naval Stores Industry, is at least as old as the construction of wooden naval vessels. In recent years, rosin components have attracted a renewed attention, notably as sources of monomers for polymers synthesis. The purpose of the present chapter is to provide a general overview of the major sources and composition of rosin. It deals therefore with essential features such as the structure and chemical reactivity of its most important components, viz. the resin acids, and the synthesis of a variety of their derivatives. This chemical approach is then followed hy a detailed discussion of the relevant applications, the resin acids and their derivatives, namely in polymer synthesis and processing, paper sizing, emulsion polymerization, adhesive tack and printing inks, among others. 

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