Abstract: The specification discloses a method for esterifying rosins with a polyol which comprises contacting rosin with the polyol in the presence of a bleaching mixture which includes both an alkaline earth hypophosphite and hypophosphorous acid and, preferably also, an organic sulfide, under esterification conditions to produce a rosin ester. The method enables production of rosin esters which have a color of less than about 5 Gardner neat. The preferred bleaching mixture includes from about 0.01% to about 0.10% of the alkaline earth hypophosphite and from about 0.10% to about 0.15% of active hypophosphorous acid, where the amounts are based on the weight of the rosin. The most preferred alkaline earth hypophosphite is calcium hypophosphite. The specification also describes a method for preparing an adhesive from the rosin ester.

Abstract: This specification discloses manufacture of copolymers of alpha-methylstyrene and styrene in which the alpha-methylstyrene may range from about 50 to 90% and the softening point may range from about 60.degree. to 100.degree. C. The copolymers have especial utility with elastomers to produce pressure sensitive adhesives and the like, and in hot melt coatings.

Abstract: This specification discloses manufacture of copolymers of alpha-methylstyrene and styrene in which the alpha-methylstyrene may range from about 50 to 90% and the softening point may range from about 60.degree. to 100.degree. C. The copolymers have especial utility with elastomers to produce pressure sensitive adhesives and the like, and in hot melt coatings.

Abstract: This specification discloses manufacture of copolymers of alpha-methylstyrene and styrene in which the alpha-methylstryene may range from about 50 to 90% and the softening point may range from about 60.degree. to 100.degree.C. The copolymers have especial utility with elastomers to produce pressure sensitive adhesives and the like, and in hot melt coatings.