General Description
A clear liquid with a mild odor. Slightly less dense than water and insoluble in water. Hence floats on water. Flash point 430°F. The primary hazard is the threat to the environment. Immediate steps should be taken to limit its spread to the environment. As a liquid, can easily penetrate the soil and contaminate groundwater and nearby streams. Eye contact may produce severe irritation and direct skin contact may produce mild irritation. Used in the manufacture of a variety of plastics and coating products.
Reactivity Profile
DI-N-OCTYL PHTHALATE(117-84-0) reacts with acids to liberate heat along with alcohols and acids. Strong oxidizing acids may cause a vigorous reaction that is sufficiently exothermic to ignite the reaction products. Heat is also generated by the interaction with caustic solutions. Flammable hydrogen may be generated by mixing with alkali metals and hydrides. Can generate electrostatic charges by swirling or pouring [Handling Chemicals Safely, 1980. p. 250].
Air & Water Reactions
Insoluble in water.
Health Hazard
Produces no ill effects at normal temperatures but may give off irritating vapor at high temperature.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: None
Description
DNOP is a liquid. Molecular weight= 390.62;Boiling point = 230℃ under 5 mmHg; Flash point = 215℃;Autoignition temperature= 390℃. Explosive Limits:LEL = 0.3% at 245℃; UEL—unknown. HazardIdentification (based on NFPA-704 M Rating System): Health2, Flammability 1, Reactivity 0. Insoluble in water.
Chemical Properties
Colorless liquid
Physical properties
Clear, light colored, viscous, oily liquid with a slight odor
Uses
Dioctyl phthalate is used as a plasticizer in various plastic materials.
Uses
Phthalate ester used as plasticizers and additives. Used in toxicology studies as well as risk assessment studies of food contamination that occurs via migration of phthalates into foodstuffs from food-contact materials (FCM).
Definition
ChEBI: Di-n-octyl phthalate is a phthalate ester and a diester.
First aid
If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove any contact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least15 min, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts the skin,remove contaminated clothing and wash immediately withsoap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. If thischemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure, begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart actionhas stopped. Transfer promptly to a medical facility. Whenthis chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention.Give large quantities of water and induce vomiting. Do notmake an unconscious person vomit.
Source
Detected in distilled water-soluble fractions of new and used motor oil at concentrations
of 1.3 to 1.4 and 73 to 78 μg/L, respectively (Chen et al., 1994). May leach from plastic products
(e.g., tubing, containers) used in laboratories during chemical analysis of aqueous samples.
Environmental Fate
Biological. o-Phthalic acid was tentatively identified as the major degradation product of di-noctyl
phthalate produced by the bacterium Serratia marcescens (Mathur and Rouatt, 1975). When
di-n-octyl phthalate was statically incubated in the dark at 25 °C with yeast extract and settled
domestic wastewater inoculum, no degradation was observed after 7 d. In a 21-d period, however,
gradual adaptation did occur, resulting in 94 and 93% losses at concentrations of 5 and 10 mg/L,
respectively (Tabak et al., 1981). In the presence of suspended natural populations from
unpolluted aquatic systems, the second-order microbial transformation rate constant determined in
the laboratory was reported to be 3.7 ± 0.6 x 10-13 L/organism?h (Steen, 1991).
Chemical/Physical. Under alkaline conditions, di-n-octyl phthalate will initially hydrolyze to noctyl
hydrogen phthalate and 1-octanol. The monoester will undergo hydrolysis forming ophthalic
acid and 1-octanol (Kollig, 1993). The hydrolysis half-life at pH 7 and 25 °C was
estimated to be 107 yr (Ellington et al., 1988).
storage
Color Code—Green: General storage may be used.Prior to working with this chemical you should be trainedon its proper handling and storage. Before entering confinedspace where this chemical may be present, check to makesure that an explosive concentration does not exist. Di-noctyl phthalate must be stored to avoid contact with strongoxidizers (such as chlorine, bromine, and fluorine) andstrong acids (such as hydrochloric, sulfuric, and nitric); andalkyl halides, since violent reactions occur. Store in tightlyclosed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area away fromheat. Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames,are prohibited where this chemical is used, handled, orstored in a manner that could create a potential fire orexplosion hazard. Metal containers involving the transfer of5 gallons or more of this chemical should be grounded andbonded. Drums must be equipped with self-closing valves,pressure vacuum bungs, and flame arresters. Use only nonsparking tools and equipment, especially when opening andclosing containers of this chemical.
Shipping
The name of this material is not in the DOT listof materials for label and packaging standards. However,based on regulations, it may be classified as anEnvironmentally hazardous substances, liquid, n.o.s. It fallsin Hazard Class 9 and Packing Group III.[20,21]
