Dioctyl Phthalate
The general-purpose PVC plasticiser supplied by Chelora Chemicals — known in the trade as DOP or DEHP, the workhorse diester that softens flexible PVC for cable, film and flooring manufacture — exported from Indonesia in drums and ISO tanks with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What Dioctyl Phthalate is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's chemistry, its role as the workhorse general-purpose PVC plasticiser, and the grade Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
Dioctyl Phthalate is the full diester of phthalic anhydride (as phthalic acid) with 2-ethylhexanol, two branched eight-carbon alcohol chains attached to the aromatic phthalate core. Those long, flexible alkyl chains are what let it work its way between rigid PVC polymer chains and lower the glass-transition temperature of the compound, giving flexible PVC its characteristic softness and flexibility.
At room temperature it is a colourless to pale-yellow, oily, essentially odourless liquid, immiscible with water but fully miscible with PVC resin and most organic solvents. It is thermally stable and low in volatility relative to many solvents given its high molecular weight and high boiling point, and requires only standard liquid-chemical storage with moisture and contamination control.
Where it fits in the synthesis chain
DOP's single largest use is as the general-purpose plasticiser in flexible PVC compounds for cable and wire insulation, flexible film and sheeting, flooring, and PVC-coated fabrics, where it is blended into the polymer melt before processing. Smaller volumes find use as a dielectric fluid in some capacitor applications and as a component in selected lubricant and specialty formulations.
Grade we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers Dioctyl Phthalate in PVC-plasticiser grade (99.5%+ assay) suitable for cable, film, flooring and coated-fabric manufacture, supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How Dioctyl Phthalate is made
An overview of the production route for orientation purposes. Our manufacturing partners' own process parameters and in-process controls are proprietary and are not disclosed beyond what is needed to interpret the certificate of analysis.
Dioctyl Phthalate is manufactured by the acid-catalysed esterification of phthalic anhydride with two equivalents of 2-ethylhexanol, proceeding through a fast mono-ester intermediate followed by a slower, catalysed diester-forming step, with water removed throughout to drive the reaction to completion: phthalic anhydride + 2 C₈H₁₈O → DOP + H₂O. The crude ester is purified by neutralisation, stripping and filtration.
Why direct esterification with 2-ethylhexanol is the standard process
Reacting phthalic anhydride directly with 2-ethylhexanol under acid or metal catalysis gives a well-understood, scalable two-step esterification from two widely available feedstocks, which is why it has been the dominant commercial process since DOP was first commercialised and remains the standard route used at scale today.
Industries and processes that use it
Dioctyl Phthalate is consumed across flexible PVC cable, film and flooring manufacture, where its softening power and compatibility with PVC resin are the main draw. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Cable & Wire Insulation
Blended into flexible PVC compounds for electrical cable and wire insulation, where it provides flexibility while maintaining good dielectric properties.
Flexible Film & Sheeting
Used in flexible PVC film and sheeting for packaging, tarpaulins and other applications requiring a soft, pliable polymer surface.
PVC Flooring & Wall Coverings
Compounded into PVC flooring and wall-covering products to provide the flexibility and resilience these materials need in use.
Coated Fabrics & Specialty Applications
Used in PVC-coated fabric manufacture for tents, inflatables and upholstery, and in selected dielectric-fluid and lubricant-additive applications.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The two long, flexible ester side-chains attached to the rigid phthalate core govern almost all of this molecule's function as a plasticiser. Reaction classes below account for most of the chemistry behind DOP's manufacture and its interaction with PVC.
Mono-Esterification
The anhydride ring of phthalic anhydride opens readily with the first equivalent of 2-ethylhexanol to form the mono-ester, the fast first step in DOP synthesis.
Di-Esterification
A second, slower esterification under acid or metal catalysis converts the mono-ester to the full diester, completing DOP synthesis.
Physical Plasticisation (Function, Not Reaction)
Once blended into PVC resin, DOP works its way between polymer chains and lowers the glass-transition temperature without reacting chemically with the polymer, the physical basis of its plasticising function.
Migration & Volatility Behaviour
Being a high-molecular-weight, low-volatility ester, DOP migrates and volatilises slowly out of the finished PVC compound relative to lighter plasticisers, supporting longer in-service product life.
Dioctyl Phthalate against other amines we supply
Buyers sourcing DOP for cable, film or flooring manufacture often need the upstream anhydride feedstock or a related phthalate-chain intermediate. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dioctyl Phthalate | 117-81-7 | General-purpose PVC plasticiser | The product on this page — the workhorse diester for flexible PVC compounding. |
| Phthalic Anhydride | 85-44-9 | Aromatic dicarboxylic anhydride | The upstream feedstock from which DOP is made — see its product page. |
| Maleic Anhydride | 108-31-6 | Unsaturated dicarboxylic anhydride | A related anhydride intermediate in our range — see its product page. |
| Ortho-Xylene | 95-47-6 | BTX aromatic isomer | The further-upstream aromatic feedstock for phthalic anhydride — see its product page. |
Exact physical constants and purity specifications are confirmed per batch on the certificate of analysis — treat the notes above as a sourcing guide, not a specification sheet, for products other than Dioctyl Phthalate.
Safety classification at a glance
Based on GHS classification as commonly listed for this substance. This is a summary for orientation only — always work from the current safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch.
May damage fertility or the unborn child.
May cause long-lasting harmful effects to aquatic life.
Comparatively low acute toxicity on short-term exposure relative to many industrial chemicals.
Low vapour pressure means inhalation exposure under normal handling is generally limited.
Chemical-resistant gloves and standard good industrial hygiene are recommended for routine handling.
May damage fertility or the unborn child; minimise exposure, particularly for pregnant workers, and follow MSDS handling precautions.
Avoid release to waterways given its potential for long-lasting harmful effects to aquatic life.
Warning — GHS08 reproductive-hazard and GHS09 environmental-hazard pictograms apply.
This compound may damage fertility or the unborn child and may cause long-lasting harmful effects to aquatic life, though it has comparatively low acute toxicity and low volatility under normal handling. It must still be handled with chemical-resistant gloves and good industrial hygiene, minimising exposure for pregnant workers in particular and avoiding release to waterways. Full first-aid, storage, spill and PPE guidance is in the MSDS issued with every shipment, and must be read in full and followed without exception before this material is handled.
Keeping it on spec between delivery and use
General storage guidance for this grade. Site-specific storage rules, segregation requirements and re-test intervals should follow your own EHS procedures and the MSDS issued with your batch.
Store in a dry, sealed area away from strong oxidizing agents, with standard precautions against moisture ingress. As a low-volatility, thermally stable ester it is comparatively straightforward to store and transport, needing only standard liquid-chemical handling. If a batch is held past its retest date, re-check assay and acidity before use.
How it ships from Indonesia
Standard packing and export terms for this product. Confirm exact figures against your order — they vary slightly by destination and quantity.
What travels with every batch
Specification is agreed before the purchase order, not discovered on arrival. Every shipment of Dioctyl Phthalate leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay (by titration/GC), colour and relevant physical constants, issued against the agreed specification so your QC team can check it, not just file it.
Safety Data Sheet
GHS-format SDS in English covering hazard classification, handling, storage, first-aid and spill response for the exact grade of Dioctyl Phthalate shipped.
Technical Data Sheet
Reference physical and chemical properties, recommended storage and typical applications, for internal circulation to your process or R&D teams.
Certificate of Origin
Confirms Indonesian origin for customs clearance and any preferential-duty claim at your destination port.
Dangerous Goods Declaration
UN packing group, classification and shipper's declaration prepared ahead of loading so documentation never holds up customs.
Third-Party Inspection
Independent pre-shipment inspection and re-sampling can be arranged on request, at your cost, for buyers who require it as a matter of policy.
Frequently asked questions
What buyers most often ask our sales desk about this grade.
01What is Dioctyl Phthalate used for?+
02What is the CAS number of DOP?+
03How is DOP made?+
04What grade does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Why is DOP called both DOP and DEHP?+
06Is Dioctyl Phthalate hazardous?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply Phthalic Anhydride as well?+
Need Dioctyl Phthalate on spec, on time?
Send us your required purity, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.