Westvaco Corporation

Timothy B Cameron

David E Knox

Don P Duncan

Solvent-borne alkyd resin compositions are disclosed comprising a high-purity maleinized rosin anhydride. Substitution of the trifunctional acid component of the alkyd resin composition with this rosin anhydride permits a reduction in the viscosity of the resin without adversely affecting the physical properties of the cured film of the resin.

Maleinized rosin containing solvent-borne alkyd resin compositions

Phosphinic acid (also called hypophosphorous acid), when used in very small quantities, is disclosed to act as a catalyst to accelerate the reaction rate of esterification of rosin with pentaerythritol. According to the process of the invention, a rosin is reacted with at least an equivalent amount of pentaerythritol in the presence of phosphinic acid at a temperature of from about 180.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C. When tall oil rosin is esterified by the invention process, a rosin ester is produced without appreciable color degradation.

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Hanahan, SC, United States of America

Timothy B Cameron