Abstract: A derivative of coniferous tree barks is produced by reacting at elevated temperatures an alkaline polyphenolic solution of a coniferous bark extract in the proportion of from 0.1, and preferably from 0.5 to 8.0 moles of a carbonyl-activated halocompound per mole of monomeric unit in the polyphenol of the formula ##STR1## or with a cyano-activated halocompound of the formula ##STR2## wherein R' is H, HC.dbd.O or R--C .dbd.O where R is alkyl or aryl; X is halogen and R" is alkyl, OH, oxyalkyl, aryl or OM in which M is a metal. The starting materials are the alkaline extracts resulting from the digestion of coniferous tree barks with an alkaline aqueous solution or preferably the sulfonated acid extracts of such barks. The reaction products are etherified polyphenolic compounds which are water-soluble and possess chelating characteristics.

Abstract: A derivative of coniferous tree barks is produced by reacting at elevated temperatures an alkaline polyphenolic solution of a coniferous bark extract in the proportion of from 0.1, and preferably from 0.5 to 8.0 moles of a carbonylactivated halocompound per mole of monomeric unit in the polyphenol of the formula ##EQU1## or with a cyano-activated halocompound of the formula ##EQU2## wherein R' is H, HC=O, or R--c=O where R is alkyl or aryl; X is halogen and R" is alkyl, OH, oxyalkyl, aryl or OM in which M is a metal. The starting materials are the alkaline extracts resulting from the digestion of coniferous tree barks with an alkaline aqueous solution or preferably the sulfonated acid extracts of such barks. The reaction products are etherified polyphenolic compounds which are watersoluble and possess chelating characteristics.

Abstract: Polyphenolic components of coniferous tree barks are reacted with a concentrated aqueous solution containing ammonia and sulfur dioxide to produce aminated sulfite reaction products having high nitrogen contents. The products have a number of valuable applications including utility in the agricultural field. The reaction takes place at temperatures of 130.degree. - 190.degree.C., the ratio of NH.sub.3 /bark is within the range of 0.2 - 1.2 and ratio of SO.sub.2 /bark is within the range of 0.25 - 0.4, on a weight basis.