Chemical Properties
Tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate, a clear, viscous liquid, is used as a component of vinyl stabilizers, grease additives, and flame-proofing compositions; however, it is used primarily as a plasticizer for vinyl plastic and synthetic rubber compounds.
Tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate has been employed as a specialty flameretardant plasticizer for vinyl compositions where low temperature flexibility is critical, eg, in military tarpaulins. It can be included in blends with general purpose plasticizers such as phthalate esters to improve low temperature flexibility.
Uses
Solvent, antifoaming agent, plasticizer.
Uses
Tris(2-ethylhexyl) Phosphate is used as a phosphorous flame retardant. Used as a plasticizer in the preparation of a new potentiometric membrane sensor.
Definition
ChEBI: Tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate is a trialkyl phosphate.
General Description
Clear colorless to pale yellow liquid with a slight sharp odor. Insoluble in water; Soluble in alcohol, acetone, and ether. Combustible.
Reactivity Profile
Tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate is incompatible with oxidizing materials. Tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate may soften or deteriorate certain plastics and elastomers. Tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate is incompatible with cellulose acetate and cellulose acetate butyrate.
Hazard
Toxic by ingestion and inhalation.
Flammability and Explosibility
Not classified
Purification Methods
TEHP, in an equal volume of diethyl ether, is shaken with aqueous 5% HCl, and the organic phase is filtered to remove traces of pyridine (used as a solvent during manufacture) as its hydrochloride. This layer is shaken with aqueous Na2CO3, then water, and the ether is distilled off at room temperature. The ester is then filtered, dried for 12hours at 100o/15mm, and again filtered, then shaken intermittently for 2days with activated alumina (100g/L). It is decanted through a fine sintered-glass disc (with exclusion of moisture), and distilled under vacuum. [French & Muggleton J Chem Soc 5064 1957.] *Benzene can be used as a solvent (to give 0.4M solution) instead of ether. IR ( ): 1702, 1701, 481 and 478cm -1 [Bellamy & Becker J Chem Soc 475 1952]. The uranyl nitrate salt is purified by partial crystallisation from hexane [Siddall & Dukes J Am Chem Soc 81 790 1959, Siddall J Am Chem Soc 81 4176 1959]. [Beilstein 1 IV 1786.]
