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Bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, widely known by the abbreviation DOA, is a clear, colorless or pale yellow liquid organic compound scientifically referred to as bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, produced by the esterification of adipic acid and 2-ethylhexyl alcohol.
Dioctyl Adipate is a high-performance ester plasticizer (softener) raw material used particularly in the polymer and plastic industry for PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and various synthetic rubbers.
Dioctyl Adipate is widely preferred in industry due to the exceptional flexibility it exhibits at low temperatures, excellent cold resistance, low viscosity, and the processability it imparts to plastic materials.
DOA is a functional component added to formulations to increase the flexibility of polymer resins, reduce hardness, and provide processing ease.
Dioctyl Adipate molecules penetrate between polymer chains, reducing intermolecular attractive forces between the chains and lowering the glass transition temperature of the material.
Dioctyl Adipate-containing plastic and polymer systems gain the ability to maintain their flexible structure without becoming brittle even under cold weather conditions.
DOA plays a critical role in many fields such as cable insulation materials, artificial leather, food packaging films, hoses, and inflatable products thanks to its low-performance and fluidity advantages it provides.
Bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate helps formulators develop efficient processes due to the stability it exhibits during the production process and its compatibility with other additives.
Dioctyl Adipate is a product produced at high purity under industrial standards and ranks among the fundamental components in the ester-based plasticizers class in the global market.
WHAT IS DIOCTYL ADIPATE?
DOA is a diester compound obtained from the reaction of adipic acid, a dibasic organic acid, with 2-ethylhexanol, known in the chemical industry under the names Dioctyl Adipate, Bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, or simply DOA.
Dioctyl Adipate is commercially offered as a clear, colorless or very slightly yellowish liquid with a characteristic light odor, anhydrous and in high purity degrees.
Dioctyl Adipate quality can vary according to parameters such as purity ratio, acid value, water content, color, and density, and is selected by taking these features into account in different industrial applications.
Bis(2-ethylhexyl) Adipate (DEHA) is used alone or blended with other plasticizers specifically to provide low-temperature flexibility in the production of PVC plasticizers.
Dioctyl Adipate is also a versatile component that finds a place in food packaging materials, medical hoses, cable jackets, and adhesive formulations.
Dioctyl Adipate exhibits good compatibility with polymer matrices thanks to the ester groups in its molecular structure and supports formulation stability even in long-term use.
COMMON PRODUCT AND CHEMICAL NAMES:
Dioctyl Adipate
DOA
Bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate
Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate
Adipic acid bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester
Bis(2-ethylhexyl) hexanedioate
Hexanedioic acid, bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester
Dioctil Adipat
Di(2-etilheksil) adipat
CAS NO, EC / EINECS NO AND CHEMICAL IDENTIFICATION
Product name: Dioctyl Adipate / Dioctil Adipat
Common abbreviation: DOA
Chemical name: Bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate
Molecular formula: C₂₂H₄₂O₄
Molecular weight: 370.57 g/mol
CAS No: 123-79-5
EC / EINECS No: 204-652-9
Chemical class: Aliphatic diester / Ester-based plasticizer
Main functions: Polymer plasticizer, flexibility enhancer, cold resistance provider, viscosity regulator
Bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate is a defined organic ester compound with a specific chemical formula and net molecular weight.
Dioctyl Adipate has CAS No 123-79-5 and EC No 204-652-9 listed in international literature and official records.
Di(2-etilheksil) adipat commercial grades typically have a purity of around minimum 99% and may contain trace amounts of free acid or moisture.
PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Di(2-etilheksil) adipat is generally a clear, colorless to pale yellow oily liquid.
Physical appearance: Clear liquid
Boiling point: Approximately 214 °C (under 4 mm Hg pressure)
Melting point: Approximately -67 °C
Density: Approximately 0.92 - 0.93 g/cm³ at 20 °C
Solubility in water: Insoluble in water; has high solubility in organic solvents and oils
Flash point: Approximately 195 °C - 215 °C
Viscosity: Approximately 12 - 15 cP at 20 °C
HOW DOES DIOCTYL ADIPATE WORK AT THE MOLECULAR LEVEL?
Di(2-etilheksil) adipat acts as an internal lubricant and plasticizer in polymer formulations.
Dioctyl Adipate molecules penetrate between the chains of rigid polymers such as PVC, weakening the molecular interactions between the polymer chains.
Dioctyl Adipate presence allows polymer chains to move more freely relative to one another, lowering the glass transition temperature of the material.
Di(2-etilheksil) adipat prevents the crystallization of the polymer in cold environments thanks particularly to its long branched alkyl chains and ensures that the material maintains its flexibility.
WHICH INDUSTRIES IS IT USED IN?
Plastic and polymer processing industry
Wire and cable manufacturing
Food packaging materials production
Automotive sector interior trim and hose manufacturing
Medical device and hose production
Artificial leather and textile coating industry
Adhesives and sealants industry
ADVANTAGES OF DIOCTYL ADIPATE (DOA) COMPARED WITH ALTERNATIVE PLASTICIZERS
Dioctyl Adipate (DOA), also known as Bis(2-ethylhexyl) Adipate (DEHA), is a plasticizer with CAS No. 103-23-1, widely used in flexible PVC applications.
Its main advantage is its ability to maintain flexibility at low temperatures.
Bis(2-ethylhexyl) Adipate (DEHA) can also improve plastisol flow, help reduce brittleness in cold conditions, and be blended with other plasticizers to achieve the desired performance.
1) Excellent Low-Temperature Flexibility
One of the most significant advantages of DOA is its ability to maintain flexibility at low temperatures.
This property is particularly valuable in PVC films, cable coatings, hoses, seals, and flexible profiles used in cold environments.
DOA can be preferred over general-purpose plasticizers such as DOP and DINP when low-temperature performance is a priority.
2) Non-Phthalate Alternative
DOA is an adipate-based plasticizer belonging to a different chemical class from phthalate esters.
Bis(2-ethylhexyl) Adipate (DEHA) is therefore an alternative for manufacturers developing non-phthalate formulations.
However, being non-phthalate does not automatically mean that DOA is compliant with every regulation or completely risk-free.
Compliance must be verified for the intended application, particularly in food-contact materials, toys, and medical products.
3) Low Viscosity and Improved Plastisol Flow
When used alone or in combination with other plasticizers, DOA can reduce viscosity and improve flow in certain plastisol formulations.
This can support processability in coating and calendering operations. The actual effect depends on the resin type, plasticizer concentration, and processing conditions.
4) Compatibility with Other Plasticizers
DOA can be blended with plasticizers such as DOP or DOTP. Such combinations can help balance general mechanical performance with low-temperature flexibility.
Manufacturers can adjust the formulation to meet the specific requirements of the finished product.
5) Good Electrical Properties
DOA can provide good electrical properties in selected PVC formulations.
This makes it a potential option for cable coatings and certain electrical insulation applications.
However, the final electrical performance depends on the entire formulation and manufacturing conditions, rather than on the plasticizer alone.
6) Suitable Weathering and Thermal Performance
Manufacturer data indicate that DOA can provide suitable weathering resistance and thermal stability in appropriate formulations.
These properties may benefit flexible PVC products exposed to environmental conditions.
Nevertheless, applications requiring prolonged high-temperature performance, low volatility, or low migration should be assessed through direct technical comparisons with alternative plasticizers.
7) Applications in Transparent Films and Packaging
DOA can be used in transparent PVC films and selected packaging applications. For food-contact materials, however, regulatory compliance and migration testing of the finished material must be verified separately.
Technical suitability alone does not establish authorization for every food-packaging application.
LIMITATIONS OF DOA COMPARED WITH OTHER PLASTICIZERS
DOA is not the best choice for every application. General-purpose plasticizers such as DOP and DINP may offer lower costs or lower volatility in certain formulations, while DOTP can provide a different balance of performance and cost. DOA may be more volatile than some general-purpose phthalate plasticizers.
Migration resistance and long-term performance at elevated temperatures should also be evaluated for the intended application.
CONCLUSION
DOA's main competitive advantage is its ability to improve flexibility at low temperatures. It is a strong alternative when cold-temperature performance, plastisol flow, and non-phthalate formulation requirements are important. However, cost, volatility, migration resistance, and high-temperature performance should be compared for the specific end product before selecting the most suitable plasticizer.
THINGS TO CONSIDER DURING USE
Di(2-etilheksil) adipat should be used by taking appropriate occupational safety precautions, and direct skin and eye contact should be avoided.
Dioctyl Adipate should be stored in cool, dry, and well-ventilated areas, and kept away from strong oxidizing agents.
Dioctyl Adipate selection of correct proportions in formulations directly affects the migration and mechanical strength performance of the final product.
TECHNICAL SUMMARY
Dioctyl Adipate, with the short name DOA, is one of the fundamental ester plasticizers providing flexibility and low-temperature resistance in the polymer world.
Dioctyl Adipate is a functional raw material safely evaluated in industrial formulations with its high purity, low viscosity, and excellent cold resistance.
CONTACT ATAMAN KIMYA
For further information and inquiries regarding this chemical, please contact Ataman Kimya.
