EFFECTS OF ELLAGIC ACID AND DERIVATIVES THEREOF ON WATER REPELLENCY AND DIMENSIONAL STABILITY

Derivatives of the insoluble polyphenolic ellagic acid and water soluble tetraguanidinium, tetracholine, tetrakis-benzyltrimethylammonium and tetrakis-tetramethylammonium ellagates and 2,3,4,2',3',4'-hexamethoxy-6,6'-diisocyanato-diphenyl, were prepared. the effects of these compounds upon water repellency and dimensional stability when impregnated into timber were examined. water soluble ellagates improved water repellent effectiveness up to 32%. ellagic acid and 2,3,4,2',3',4'- hexamethoxy-6,6'-diisocyanato-diphenyl increased initial swelling rates due to their solvent carriers. all trial compounds provided the timber wafers with additional dimensional stability predominantly by non-bonded, non-leachable bulking. generally a reduction in the extent but not the rate of moisture uptake was noted for the compounds investigated.