Abstract: Light-colored phenolic-modified rosin esters, suitable for use as, for example, tackifiers in adhesive compositions, are prepared by reacting together rosin, a phenolic compound, formaldehyde or a reactive equivalent thereof, and a non-phenolic hydroxyl-containing organic compound in the presence of at least one lightening agent selected from phenol sulfide compounds, phosphorous acid, esters of phosphorous acid, and hypophosphite salts. The formaldehyde or reactive equivalent is present in an amount ranging from about 1.1 to about 3.5 equivalents of --CHO moieties per 1 equivalent of Ar--OH moiety of the phenolic compound, in order to obtain rosin esters having desirably low color, and adequately low molecular weight to effectively function as tackifiers.

Abstract: Improved rosin ester compositions are provided having diminished tendency toward hazing concomitant with good viscosity stability when employed in adhesive systems such as hot melt adhesive systems. Addition of zinc composition to rosin ester formulations in an effective amount serves to secure these improvements. Zinc oxide, zinc hydroxide and zinc salts of organic acids are suitable for employment with zinc resinates being preferred in accordance with the practice of certain embodiments.

Abstract: There is provided a stabilized aqueous base tackifier composition characterized by the presence in an aqueous medium of a resinous tackifier composition having an acid number in the range from 30 to 150 and a softening point in the range of from -40.degree. to 150.degree. C., a minor amount of a nonionic or anionic surfactant and a minor amount of an elastomeric latex. There is also provided a method of stabilizing an emulsifiable tackifier composition which comprises adding to such composition, a minor amount of a surfactant and a minor amount of an elastomer.

Abstract: A flow process for conjugating unconjugated unsaturation of fatty acids in the presence of alkali metal hydroxide under at least autogenic pressure at elevated temperature with control of the cis/trans to trans/trans ratio of the conjugated fatty acid product.