Source and Application of Tall Oil Fatty Acid

Tall Oil Fatty Acid (TOFA), characterized as a pale yellow transparent liquid, represents a chemically complex mixture primarily composed of oleic acid, linoleic acid and their structural isomers. This specific composition of Tall Oil Fatty Acid dictates its unique physicochemical properties, demonstrating complete water insolubility while maintaining excellent solubility in organic media including ether and ethanol. The molecular structure enables characteristic chemical transformations through both alkaline reactions and alcoholization/amination processes. Furthermore, the commercial valuation of this biobased material is critically determined by four key parameters: residual rosin acid concentration, non-saponifiable content, initial color quality, and color stability under thermal processing conditions.

Figure1: Picture of Tall Oil Fatty Acid

General Description

Tall Oil Fatty Acid (TOFA) product with a special combination of fatty and rosin acids. Excellent raw material in various applications for example it can be used in metal working fluids, oil field chemicals, soaps, cleaners and alkyd resins. Tall Oil Fatty Acid (TOFA), derived from pine tree oil, is primarily composed of a mixture containing oleic acid, linoleic acid and their isomers, along with minor constituents of rosin acids and non-saponifiable matter. As a cost-effective source of unsaturated fatty acids (particularly oleic acid), this specific Tall Oil Fatty Acid composition exhibits characteristic insolubility in water but good solubility in ether and ethanol, while demonstrating reactivity with alkalis as well as alcoholization and amination capabilities. The low boiling point characteristics of this bio-based material make it particularly suitable for synthetic lubricant production applications. Tall Oil Fatty Acid (TOFA) is Forchem’s classic Tall Oil (CTO) product that is very pure fatty acid with a low level of rosin acids and a low level of unsaponifiables through our optimum distillation process. Forchem TOFA is used to satisfy the demands of today’s environmentally aware consumers and global markets. TOFA is an ideal raw material for many chemical reactions and intermediates. The most common applications for TOFA are paints and coatings, biolubricants, fuel additives and performance polymer.  [1]

Source

Tall Oil Fatty Acid (TOFA) is defined as a fatty acid-enriched compound obtained through the fractionation and purification of tall oil, with its composition primarily comprising oleic acid, linoleic acid and their structural isomers. The production pathway of Tall Oil Fatty Acid involves sophisticated fractionation processes that progressively separate these fatty acid components from crude tall oil, ultimately yielding a refined product with enhanced purity and specific industrial applicability.

Application

Tall Oil Fatty Acid is primarily utilized in the production of oilfield chemicals and ore flotation agents, as well as for manufacturing dimer and trimer acids used in the coating industry. This valuable material originates from tall oil—a mixture predominantly composed of rosin acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid—obtained by acidifying skimmings from the sulfate pulping process of coniferous wood. The initial fractionation of tall oil yields Tall Oil Fatty Acid containing 6-8% rosin acid, suitable for soap manufacturing. Subsequent advanced fractionation produces high-quality Tall Oil Fatty Acid with less than 2% resin acid content, specifically designed for the synthesis of dimer acids and other value-added products. Tall Oil Fatty Acid (TOFA) serves multiple functions in metalworking applications, where its reaction with alkalis produces fatty acid soap-based anionic surfactants that act as effective emulsifiers in metalworking fluids. Through specific chemical transformations, it can be converted into rust-preventive compounds like tall oil diethanolamide, which functions as corrosion inhibitor additives. While the inherent lubricity of Tall Oil Fatty Acid provides supplementary lubrication in metalworking formulations, its primary industrial significance lies in serving as a key precursor for dimer acids and alkyd resins—materials extensively utilized across metal processing sectors. The compound's broad applicability spans adhesives, inks, surfactants, paints and coatings, mining, and metalworking industries. [1]

Reference

[1] Furst M R L. Polymerisable di-and triesters from tall oil fatty acids and related compounds[J]. Green Chemistry, 2013, 15: 1218-1225.