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Dioctyl Phthalate, widely known by the abbreviation DOP, scientifically referred to as bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in chemical literature, is a clear, colorless or pale yellow oily liquid organic compound with a high boiling point, produced by the esterification of phthalic anhydride and 2-ethylhexanol.
DOPis the most widely and traditionally used primary phthalate ester plasticizer (softener) raw material in the polymer and vinyl industry worldwide.
Dioctyl Phthalate is accepted as the standard reference component in the vinyl processing sector, particularly owing to its excellent compatibility with PVC (polyvinyl chloride) matrices, high plasticizing efficiency, low volatility, balanced electrical insulation properties, and economic cost advantage.
Di(2-etilheksil) fitalat is a functional component added to formulations in order to convert rigid and brittle polymer resins into processable, flexible, and high-strength structures.
Dioctyl Phthalate molecules penetrate between PVC polymer chains, weakening the intermolecular van der Waals attractive forces between the chains and significantly lowering the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the material.
Dioctyl Phthalate-containing plastic, rubber, and synthetic coating systems acquire high flexibility, elongation capacity, impact resistance, and smooth surface properties.
Di(2-etilheksil) fitalat serves as a fundamental plasticizer in a very broad industrial spectrum ranging from cable and wire insulation to artificial leather manufacturing, from shoe sole and hose production to plastisol, tarpaulin, wallpaper, and sealing gaskets.
Dioctyl Phthalate enables formulators to achieve efficient and repeatable production thanks to its high thermal stability and superior performance in extrusion, injection, calendering, and coating processes.
Dioctyl Phthalate is a classic phthalate ester produced at high purity, presented at industrial standards, and holding the largest volumetric share in the global plasticizer market.
WHAT IS DOP (DIOCTYL PHTHALATE)?
DOP is a diester compound obtained by acid-catalyzed esterification of phthalic anhydride, an aromatic dicarboxylic acid derivative, with 2-ethylhexyl alcohol, known in the chemical industry under the names Dioctyl Phthalate, Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, DEHP, or simply DOP.
DOP is commercially presented in high purity as an anhydrous, clear, practically odorless or very slightly neutral-smelling, water-insoluble oily liquid form.
Dioctyl Phthalate quality is determined according to specific technical parameters such as purity degree, ester content, acid value, color (Hazen/APHA), density, refractive index, volume resistivity, and water amount, and is selected according to the requirements of the application.
Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate is one of the most effective plasticizers accelerating polymer gelling, increasing melt fluidity, and lowering processing temperatures on PVC extrusion and calendering lines.
Di(2-etilheksil) fitalat also finds a wide area of use as a viscosity and flexibility regulator in nitrocellulose lacquers, synthetic rubbers (NBR, CR), adhesives, and vinyl plastisol suspensions.
Dioctyl Phthalate provides long-term permanence and high physical performance in polymer matrices owing to the symmetrical ester groups and aromatic ring in its molecular structure.
COMMON PRODUCT AND CHEMICAL NAMES:
Dioctyl Phthalate
DOP
Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
DEHP
Phthalic acid bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester
1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester
Dioctil Fitalat
Di(2-etilheksil) fitalat
CAS NO, EC / EINECS NO AND CHEMICAL IDENTIFICATION
Product name: Dioctyl Phthalate / Dioctil Fitalat
Common abbreviation: DOP / DEHP
Chemical name: Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
Molecular formula: C₂₄H₃₈O₄
Molecular weight: 390.56 g/mol
CAS No: 117-81-7
EC / EINECS No: 204-211-0
Chemical class: Aromatic Dicarboxylic Ester / Phthalate-Based Plasticizer
Main functions: Primary PVC plasticizer, flexibility and elongation enhancer, melt fluidity regulator, gelling agent, electrical insulation provider
Phthalic acid bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester is a primary phthalate ester having a defined chemical structure, exact molecular formula, and fixed molecular weight.
Phthalic acid bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester has CAS No 117-81-7 and EC No 204-211-0 defined in global inventories, REACH registrations, and official chemical indexes.
DOP industrial grades typically have an ester purity specified as minimum 99.5% and possess very low acidity and moisture content.
PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Dioctyl Phthalate is generally a clear, colorless to very pale yellowish oily liquid.
Physical appearance: Clear oily liquid
Boiling point: Approximately 385 °C (under 760 mmHg pressure)
Melting / Freezing point: Approximately -50 °C - -55 °C
Density: Approximately 0.982 - 0.986 g/cm³ at 20 °C
Solubility in water: Practically insoluble in water (< 0.1 mg/L at 25 °C); fully miscible in mineral oils and organic solvents
Flash point: Approximately 200 °C - 215 °C (closed cup)
Refractive index (n20/D): Approximately 1.485 - 1.489
Viscosity: Approximately 75 - 85 mPa.s (cP) at 20 °C
Volume resistivity: Minimum 1 x 10¹¹ ohm.cm at 20 °C (in cable grades)
HOW DOES DIOCTYL PHTHALATE WORK AT THE MOLECULAR LEVEL?
DEHP acts like a physical solvent and softener within the polymer matrix by interacting with polymer dipoles.
Dioctyl Phthalate molecules disrupt the tight arrangement of rigid polymer chains by establishing dipole-dipole interactions with the chlorine atoms of PVC.
Dioctyl Phthalate presence increases the free volume and mobility of polymer segments; this condition allows the material to stretch and be processed easily.
Phthalic acid bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester keeps PVC micro-particles in a stable suspension at room temperature in plastisol systems and forms a homogeneous gel structure by dissolving the particles with increasing temperature.
WHICH INDUSTRIES IS IT USED IN?
PVC cable and wire insulation manufacturing
Artificial leather, garment, and upholstery vinyl coating sector
Shoe sole, boot, and injection-grade flexible PVC production
Hose, profile, gasket, and transparent tube manufacturing
PVC plastisol, tarpaulin, tent, wallpaper, and floor coverings (serflex)
Synthetic rubbers, sealing mastics, and adhesive formulations
Nitrocellulose-based paint, varnish, and ink industry
ADVANTAGES OF DIOCTYL PHTHALATE (DOP) COMPARED WITH ALTERNATIVE PLASTICIZERS
Dioctyl Phthalate (DOP), also known as Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (DEHP), is a widely used plasticizer in PVC applications.
DOP is recognized for its good compatibility with PVC, high plasticizing efficiency, and favorable cost-performance profile.
Its main advantages include the production of flexible PVC materials, effective softening performance, and adaptability to established manufacturing processes.
High Plasticizing Efficiency: DOP reduces the hardness of PVC and improves its flexibility and softness.
When properly formulated, it helps achieve the desired mechanical properties in flexible PVC products.
Good Compatibility with PVC: Its compatibility with PVC resin facilitates homogeneous blending and supports the production of various flexible PVC compounds.
Favorable Cost-Performance Ratio: DOP is known for its cost-performance advantages among conventional general-purpose plasticizers.
However, the actual economic benefit depends on raw material prices, dosage requirements, and the technical specifications of the final product.
Wide Range of Applications: DOP is used in cable and wire insulation, artificial leather, flexible PVC sheets, footwear components, and various industrial PVC products.
Adaptability to Existing Manufacturing Processes: Replacing DOP with an alternative plasticizer may require reformulation and adjustments to processing conditions.
Where an established formulation already uses DOP, continued use may help avoid additional reformulation requirements.
THINGS TO CONSIDER DURING USE
DOP should be used wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (gloves, goggles, work clothing), and direct skin and eye contact should be avoided.
Dioctyl Phthalate should be stored in cool, dry, well-ventilated areas, away from direct sunlight and heat sources, in tightly closed original containers.
DEHP usage should be evaluated considering local and international regulatory limits in areas subject to specific regulations (REACH, RoHS, FDA) such as children's toys, food-contact packaging, and medical devices.
TECHNICAL SUMMARY
Dioctyl Phthalate, with the short name DOP, is the fundamental phthalate ester plasticizer offering high flexibility, excellent processability, and economic solutions in the vinyl and polymer industry.
Dioctyl Phthalate is one of the indispensable raw materials of the global plastic chemistry market with its high purity, balanced electrical properties, ideal gelling power, and wide industrial application area.
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