Disproportionated gum rosin, also known as disproportionated rosin or DPD rosin, is a modified form of gum rosin, a natural resin obtained from pine trees. Disproportionation is a chemical process that involves the reaction of gum rosin with a catalyst, typically an alkali metal hydroxide such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide.

During the disproportionation process, the rosin molecules are rearranged and transformed into a mixture of various resin acids, including dimeric and trimeric acids. This results in a product with altered physical and chemical properties compared to the original gum rosin.

Disproportionated gum rosin has several advantages over unmodified gum rosin, including:

Improved solubility: Disproportionation increases the solubility of rosin in both polar and non-polar solvents, making it easier to incorporate into formulations.

Enhanced thermal stability: The rearrangement of rosin molecules during disproportionation can increase the thermal stability of the resulting product, making it suitable for applications requiring resistance to high temperatures.

Greater compatibility: Disproportionated gum rosin exhibits improved compatibility with a wide range of polymers and other additives, making it a versatile ingredient in various formulations.

Disproportionated gum rosin finds applications in industries such as adhesives, coatings, inks, and