Production and Use
The process entails the reaction of phthalic anhydride with 2-ethylhexanol:
- C6H4(CO)2O + 2 C8H17OH → C6H4(CO2 C8H17)2 + H2O
Approximately three billion kilograms are produced annually.
2-Ethylhexanol is chiral, and the resultant DEHP consists of a mixture of R,R-, S,S-, and R,S- isomers (left).
Due to its suitable properties and the low cost, DEHP is widely used as a plasticizer in manufacturing of articles made of PVC. Plastics may contain 1% to 40% of DEHP. It is also used as a hydraulic fluid and as a dielectric fluid in capacitors. DEHP also finds use as a solvent in glowsticks.
Read more about this topic: Bis(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate
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