Dioctyl Terephthalate
The non-phthalate PVC plasticiser supplied by Chelora Chemicals — known in the trade as DOTP, the regulatory-friendly alternative to DOP for cable, film and toy-grade flexible PVC — exported from Indonesia in drums and ISO tanks with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What Dioctyl Terephthalate is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's chemistry, its role as the leading non-phthalate PVC plasticiser, and the grade Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
Dioctyl Terephthalate is the structural isomer of Dioctyl Phthalate: the same two 2-ethylhexyl ester chains, but attached to a terephthalic (para-substituted) rather than phthalic (ortho-substituted) aromatic ring. That single difference in ring substitution pattern leaves its plasticising performance in PVC very close to DOP's, while its toxicological and regulatory profile is markedly more favourable, which is why DOTP has displaced DOP across many consumer-facing and regulated applications.
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, low in volatility 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
DOTP's largest use is as a drop-in, non-phthalate replacement for DOP in flexible PVC compounds for cable and wire insulation, flooring, coated fabrics, and especially toy, food-contact and medical-device applications where phthalate restrictions apply. It performs similarly to DOP in processing and finished-product properties, making reformulation from DOP to DOTP comparatively straightforward for compounders.
Grade we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers Dioctyl Terephthalate in PVC-plasticiser grade (99.5%+ assay) suitable for cable, flooring, toy-grade and food-contact-adjacent PVC compounding, supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How Dioctyl Terephthalate 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 Terephthalate is manufactured by the acid-catalysed esterification of terephthalic acid (or dimethyl terephthalate) with two equivalents of 2-ethylhexanol, with water (or methanol, if starting from the dimethyl ester) removed throughout to drive the reaction to completion: terephthalic acid + 2 C₈H₁₈O → DOTP + 2 H₂O. The crude ester is purified by neutralisation, stripping and filtration.
Why direct esterification with 2-ethylhexanol is the standard process
Reacting purified terephthalic acid, the same high-volume feedstock used for PET resin, directly with 2-ethylhexanol gives a well-understood, scalable esterification route that has grown rapidly as PVC compounders have shifted away from ortho-phthalate plasticisers toward DOTP.
Industries and processes that use it
Dioctyl Terephthalate is consumed across cable, flooring, toy and food-contact-adjacent PVC manufacture, where its DOP-equivalent performance with a cleaner regulatory profile is 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 as a non-phthalate alternative to DOP with equivalent dielectric performance.
Toys & Childcare Articles
The preferred plasticiser for toy and childcare-article PVC compounds in markets that restrict ortho-phthalate plasticisers.
Food-Contact & Medical-Adjacent Film
Used in flexible PVC film and sheeting for food-contact-adjacent and medical-device-adjacent applications where a non-phthalate plasticiser is specified.
Flooring & Coated Fabrics
Compounded into PVC flooring and coated-fabric products as a direct, drop-in replacement for DOP with closely matched processing behaviour.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The two long, flexible ester side-chains attached to the para-substituted aromatic core govern almost all of this molecule's function as a plasticiser. Reaction classes below account for most of the chemistry behind DOTP's manufacture and its interaction with PVC.
Mono-Esterification
Terephthalic acid reacts with the first equivalent of 2-ethylhexanol to form the mono-ester, the first step in DOTP synthesis.
Di-Esterification
A second esterification under acid catalysis converts the mono-ester to the full diester, completing DOTP synthesis.
Physical Plasticisation (Function, Not Reaction)
Once blended into PVC resin, DOTP works its way between polymer chains and lowers the glass-transition temperature without reacting chemically with the polymer, closely mirroring DOP's mechanism.
Migration & Volatility Behaviour
Being a high-molecular-weight, low-volatility ester, DOTP migrates and volatilises slowly out of the finished PVC compound, supporting long in-service product life comparable to DOP.
Dioctyl Terephthalate against other amines we supply
Buyers sourcing DOTP for cable, toy or food-contact-adjacent PVC manufacture often need the related phthalate plasticiser or its own upstream feedstocks. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dioctyl Terephthalate | 6422-86-2 | Non-phthalate PVC plasticiser | The product on this page — the regulatory-friendly alternative to DOP. |
| Dioctyl Phthalate | 117-81-7 | General-purpose PVC plasticiser | The related phthalate-based plasticiser that DOTP is often chosen to replace — see its product page. |
| Phthalic Anhydride | 85-44-9 | Aromatic dicarboxylic anhydride | The upstream feedstock for DOP's phthalic-acid chemistry — see its product page. |
| Para-Xylene | 106-42-3 | BTX aromatic isomer | The further-upstream aromatic feedstock for terephthalic acid — 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 Terephthalate.
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.
Comparatively low acute toxicity on short-term exposure, with a cleaner toxicological profile than ortho-phthalate plasticisers.
Low vapour pressure means inhalation exposure under normal handling is generally limited.
May cause mild eye irritation on direct contact.
Not classified as a reproductive hazard under current GHS criteria, unlike some ortho-phthalate plasticisers.
Chemical-resistant gloves and standard good industrial hygiene are recommended for routine handling.
Avoid unnecessary release to waterways as standard good environmental practice.
Keep sealed and away from strong oxidizing agents; otherwise straightforward to store.
Low Hazard — minimal GHS pictogram requirement under normal use and handling.
This compound has a comparatively low acute toxicity and a cleaner toxicological profile than ortho-phthalate plasticisers, and is not classified as a reproductive hazard under current GHS criteria, though it may cause mild eye irritation on direct contact. It should still be handled with chemical-resistant gloves and good industrial hygiene, and unnecessary release to waterways should be avoided. Full first-aid, storage, spill and PPE guidance is in the MSDS issued with every shipment, and should be read in full before handling.
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 with a favourable toxicological profile it is comparatively straightforward to store and transport. 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 Terephthalate 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 Terephthalate 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 Terephthalate used for?+
02What is the CAS number of DOTP?+
03How is DOTP made?+
04What grade does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Why is DOTP replacing DOP in many applications?+
06Is Dioctyl Terephthalate hazardous?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply Dioctyl Phthalate as well?+
Need Dioctyl Terephthalate on spec, on time?
Send us your required purity, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.