Dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP) is an alternative to phthalate plasticizers

Dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP) is an alternative to phthalate plasticizers. It can replace DEHP, BBP, and DIBP in PVC applications. It also has a low toxicity profile and high transparency.
Different synthesis reactions of DOTP have been investigated. The effects of reaction time, molar ratio, and type of solvent on the product yield have been studied.
It is a non-phthalate plasticizer
Plastics and polymers are a mainstay of modern life. They are found in airplanes and cars, packaging of all kinds, medical devices and products, and many other items. However, these products can jeopardize human health if they contain high levels of harmful chemicals such as phthalates. In response to a growing demand for safe plasticizers, companies are looking for alternatives. One such non-phthalate plasticizer is dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP).
This product is made by direct esterification of purified terephthalic acid with branched chain 2-ethylhexanol (2-EH) in an industrial reactor. It can be used in a wide variety of applications, including extrusion, calendering, injection molding, and slush molding. It has a lower toxicological profile than ortho-phthalates such as DOP, DEHP, DINP, and BBP. It also does not cause peroxisome proliferation in liver enzymes, like some phthalates do.
It is a non-toxic plasticizer
Plasticizers are added to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to break interstrand-dipole interaction and soften the material. They also enhance its flexibility and tensile strength. Most plasticizers are phthalates, but non-toxic alternatives have been developed.
Phthalate esters derived from phthalic acid are the major type of plasticizers used, mainly because they provide processing and performance characteristics that meet most applications. Other types of plasticizers include epoxy, aliphatics, trimellitates, and phosphates. These are less common and may have a more toxicological profile.
In a Swiss CD-1 mouse reproductive toxicity study, di-n-octyl phthalate (DOP) was not associated with adverse reproductive effects at doses that caused hepatomegaly. Epididymal sperm concn & motility were unchanged at the 5% DOP dose; the proportion of morphologically abnormal sperm decreased slightly. Urinary levels of one of its oxidative metabolites, mono-n-octyl phenol, were also increased at the hepatomegaly inducing dose.
It is a biodegradable plasticizer
In recent years, considerable attention has been focused on replacing petroleum-based plastics with biodegradable materials. However, biopolymers generally have inferior mechanical properties to those of fossil fuels. Therefore, they need to be blended with plasticizers to improve their workability.
This eco-friendly plasticizer is a diester of terephthalic acid and branched-chain 2-ethylhexanol. It has many applications and is an important replacement for ortho phthalates. It can be used in extrusion, calendaring, injection molding and rotational molding, as well as dip molding and slush molding.
Waste frying oil-derived ethoxylated and methyl esters were tested as plasticizers for poly(lactic acid) (PLA). Their influence on the miscibility, glass transition temperature, tensile strength, volatility resistance and biodegradation of PLA was investigated. The results showed that the ethoxylated ester exhibited the best performance.
It is a non-volatile plasticizer
Dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP) is an aromatic phthalate that is used as a plasticizer for Polyvinyl Chloride. It is considered a non-volatile plasticizer and is also non-toxic. It is produced by esterification of terephthalic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. It is used in extrusion, calendaring, injection molding, rotational molding, dip molding, and slush molding. It can also be used in coating applications.
Phthalates are a group of synthetic chemicals used as plasticizers to make PVC flexible. They are released to the environment during production and disposal, primarily through wastewater treatment plants and landfills. They may be deposited on or taken up by crops that are fed to livestock, and can enter the human food chain(1).
In water, log Koc values of 6.3-1 and 4.38-2 indicate that di-n-octyl phthalate is expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). It is not expected to volatilize from soil surfaces based on its Henry’s Law constant and estimated vapor pressure(1).
It is a thermoplastic
Dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP) is an important phthalate-free plasticizer for PVC. It is a diester of phthalic acid and benzyl alcohol. It has good heat stability and electric insulation properties. It is also less volatile and water extractable than DINP. It is used to make heat-resistant wire and cable formulations, vinyl flooring, and automotive interior trims.
It can be prepared by the alcoholysis of polyethylene terephthalate (2-EH) with choline chloride-based deep eutectic solvents. The process is economical and environmentally friendly. The decolorized product is then purified using acid clay, zeolite, molecular sieve, and alumina.
The molecule has a ring system with seven carbon atoms. It is soluble in organic solvents and has low volatility. It is also less toxic than DINP and can be mixed with a wide range of chemicals. It is a good substitute for phthalates that have been banned in Europe.