The chemical modification of tar with formaldehyde as 37% aqueous solutionhas been studied in the presence of the catalysts. Hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide and acid tar were used as the catalysts. The effect of the catalyst nature and amount, as well as temperature, process time and initial components ratio on the softening point, penetration, brittle point and adhesion to crushed stone has been determined. The structure of the modified tars was confirmed by IR spectroscopy. The structural-group composition was determined. Arene-formaldehyde resins have been synthesized on the basis of toluene and modified tars using hydrochloric acid as a catalyst. The synthesized resins were characterized using IR spectroscopy. The chemistry of the tar modification with formaldehyde has been proposed.