DIOCTYL PHTHALATE

PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

390.56

UN NO.

TOXICITY

CLASSIFICATION

EXTRA NOTES

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

clear liquid, slight odor

384 C

0.986

SOLVENT SOLUBILITY

REFRACTIVE INDEX

EXTERNAL LINKS & GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Wikipedia Linking

Material Safety Data Sheet

Google Scholar Search

http://www.dehp-facts.com/
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is one of the most cost effective and widely available general purpose plasticisers. It is used mainly for making PVC soft and pliable and it accounts for around 15% of all plasticiser usage in Western Europe . DEHP (CAS No [117-81-7]) is also known as di-octyl phthalate (DOP). It is the phthalate ester of the alcohol 2-ethyl hexanol, which is normally manufactured by the dimerisation of butyraldehyde, the butyraldehyde itself being synthesised from propylene. DEHP is a plasticiser which offers a good all-round performance and is therefore used for a great many cost-effective, general purpose products including building material such as flooring, cables, profiles and roof membranes, as well as medical products such as blood bags and dialysis equipment. DEHP possesses reasonable plasticising efficiency, fusion rate and viscosity (of great importance for plastisol applications). The content of DEHP in flexible polymer materials varies but is often around 30% (w/w). Production process: All manufacturers of phthalate esters use similar processes. DEHP is produced by the esterfication of phthalic anhydride with 2-ethyl-hexanol. This reaction occurs in two successive steps. The first reaction step results in the formation of monoester by alcoholysis of phthalic acid. This step is rapid and proceeds to completion. The second step involves the conversion of the monoester to the di-ester. This is a reversible reaction and proceeds more slowly than the first. To shift the equilibrium towards the di-ester, the reaction water is removed by distillation. Elevated temperatures and a catalyst accelerate the reaction rate. Depending on the catalyst used, the temperature in the second step varies from 140°C to 165°C with acid catalysts and from 200°C to 250°C with amphoteric catalysts. Variations in purity may occur depending on catalyst, reactant alcohol and process type. Excess alcohol is recovered and recycled and DEHP is purified by vacuum distillation and/or activated charcoal. The reaction sequence is performed in a closed system. This process can be run continuously or batchwise.

Local: Phthalates are by far the most widely used plasticisers, primarily to make soft and flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) for the applications in the industry of automotive, building & construction material, cable, flooring, medical device and toys. Phthalates make the long polyvinyl molecules to slide against one another. Minor quantity of phthalates are used in adhesives, caulk, sealants, paint to improve work performance. Small molecule phthalates are used as solvents in perfumes to provide longer linger longer and in nail polish to prevent chipping. They are also used as ingredients of insect repellents, as solvents in lacquer and pesticides, and as dye carrier. They are used as textile lubricating agents and as solid rocket propellents. Phthalates are produced by the reaction of phthalic anhydride with appropriate alcohols from methanol up to isodecanol (C13), either as a straight chain or with some branched in the presence of concentrated sulphuric acid as a catalyst. Excess alcohols are recovered and recycled and phthalates are purified by vacuum distillation and/or activated charcoal. A wide range of phthalates of varying chain length and structure provides each adequate properties and cost-effective for various processing and mechanical requirements. C8 - C9 phthalates, such as di-2-ethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP or called DOP), diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP) and diisononyl phthalate (DINP) are the most widely used general purpose phthalates. DOP is the dominant plasticizer used in PVC, providing low cost. Short chain phthalates (C3 - C7) are used when rapid setting and stain resistance is required. 2-Ethyl hexanol, produced by the dimerisation of butyraldehyde obtained from propylene, is cheaper than isononyl alcohol which are prepared by the carbonylation of an olefin. Long chain phthalates (C11 - C13) are used when high temperature stability is required. C1 and C2 phthalates are used as solvents. Special phthalates which contain aromatic ring in the side chain are used when fast-fused is required. Diallyl phthalate is used as a crosslinking agent, plasticizer or dying carrier for polyesters. Examples of common phthalates include:

DOP (Di-sec-Octylphthalate) is the most widely used general purpose plasticizer for the manufacture of flexible plastics (especially with PVC). It is insoluble in water and has a good stability to heat and ultraviolet light, a broad range of compatibility, and excellent resistance to hydrolysis. It is used in PVC, polyvinyl acetate, rubbers, cellulose plastics and polyurethane. End application include PVC floorings and wall coverings, expanded leather, PVC foams, films, sealing and adhesive systems based on polyurethane or polysulphide, PVAc based adhesives and paint binders.

APPEARANCE

clear liquid

ESTER CONTENT

99.6% min [GC]

1.485 ± 0.003 at 20 C [ASTM D1045]

DENSITY

0.986 ± 0.003 g/cm³ [ASTM D1045]

WATER

0.05% max [ASTM D1364]

HEATING LOSS

0.1% max

VOLUME RESISTIVITY

2 x 10" ohm/cm [ASTM D1169]

200kgs in drum, bulk