Sustainable Polyester Resins Derived from Rosins

Renewable dehydroabietic acid was functionalized to predominantly a rosin-diol and bis-rosin alcohol mixture by reaction with glycerin carbonate and tetraethylammonium iodide. The corresponding adducts were subsequently polymerized with a variety of organic diacids to provide thermoplastic resins with a variety of thermal properties. Optimization of the copolyester composition with selected diacid(s) and diol(s) provided a suitable resin with the required thermal and rheological properties for use as xerographic toners.