Abstract: Disclosed is a method of improving the color of tall oil rosin esters comprising the sequential steps of (a) heating the tall oil rosin in the presence of a carboxylic acid anhydride and a Lewis acid catalyst, (b) distilling the reaction mixture, and (c) esterifying the distilled tall oil rosin with a polyol. The improved tall oil rosin esters produced thereby are useful in the manufacture of a variety of products, such as paper and textile sizes, plasticizers for polyolefin films, paints, varnishes, hot melt adhesives and pressure sensitive adhesives.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of improving the color of tall oil rosin esters comprising the sequential steps of (a) heating and stirring a tall oil rosin in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst to form a mixture, (b) distilling the mixture to provide a tall oil rosin distillate, and (c) esterifying the tall oil rosin distillate with a polyol in the presence of a phenol sulfide compound. The improved tall oil rosin esters produced thereby are useful in the manufacture of a variety of products, such as paper and textile sizes, plasticizers for polyolefin films, paints, varnishes, hot melt adhesives and pressure sensitive adhesives.