Effects of Some Catalysts in Disproportionation of Tall Rosin

The effects of some catalysts on disproportionation of tall rosin were investigated for comparison. As a result, Cu-Cr catalyst had only a little effect on disproportionation, but Pd-carbon catalyst, leaving a little unsaponifiable matter, was very effective to main reaction. Active carbons were also useful to main reaction, and carbon activated by ZnCl2 was more effective than the carbon activated by steam. Zn compounds play a sub-catalytic effect, especially, carbon activated by ZnCl2 was effective to disproportionation, but it has a drawback nature producing more unsaponifiable matter by side reaction. Tall rosin was distilled fractionally, and fractions were disproportionated with active carbon activated by ZnCl2. The formation of unsaponifiable matter was nearly equal for each fractions.