Dibutyl Phthalate


dibutyl phthalate

[dī′byüd·əl ′tha‚lāt] (organic chemistry) C16H22O4 A colorless liquid, used as a plasticizer and insect repellent.

Dibutyl Phthalate

 

the di-«-butyl ester of o-phthalic acid, C6H4 (COOC4H9)2; a colorless, oily liquid with a weak fruitlike odor. Boiling point, 206°C (10 mm of mercury); density, 1,047-1,050 kg/m3 (25°C); index of refraction n25D, 1.490-1.493; solubility in water, 0.1 percent (20°C). Dibutyl phthalate is made by reacting n-butanol with phthahc anhydride in the presence of an acid catalyst. It is used to plasticize polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, and numerous other plastics and synthetic rubbers.