[Chemical Knowledge]：Properties, uses, upstream and downstream raw materials, storage methods of dibutyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate dop

Properties of dibutyl phthalate

Dibutyl phthalate (Dibutyl phthalate, DBP) is a colorless, transparent liquid with a faint aromatic odor. Its chemical formula is C16H22O4 and its molecular weight is 278.34. DBP has a melting point of around -35°C, a boiling point of around 340°C, and a density of 1.045g/cm³(20°C). It has good chemical stability and low volatility, and can be miscible with most organic solvents, such as ethanol, ether, acetone, etc., but the solubility in water is low. These physical and chemical properties make DBP an excellent plasticizer and organic solvent, and it is widely used in many industrial fields.

Use of dibutyl phthalate

Dibutyl phthalate is mainly used as a plasticizer. Plasticizer is a substance that can increase the flexibility of the polymer. By inserting it between the polymer chains, the glass transition temperature of the polymer is reduced, and the material becomes more flexible and plastic. DBP is widely used in the manufacture of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products, such as cables, flooring materials, synthetic leather, plastic films, packaging materials, etc. DBP is also used in coatings, inks, adhesives, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. For example, in cosmetics, it is often used in nail polish as a plasticizer to improve the durability and flexibility of the product.

Dibutyl phthalate upstream and downstream raw materials

The main raw materials for the production of dibutyl phthalate include phthalic anhydride and n-butanol. Phthalic anhydride is an important organic chemical raw material, which is often produced from o-xylene by catalytic oxidation. n-Butanol can be obtained by petrochemical route or biological fermentation route. In the production process, phthalic anhydride and n-butanol are esterified under the action of acid catalyst to generate DBP. The reaction product is subjected to neutralization, distillation, purification and other process steps to obtain high-purity dibutyl phthalate.

The downstream applications of DBP include manufacturers of various plastic products, paint and ink manufacturers, cosmetics companies, and pharmaceutical companies. As demand in these industries grows, so does the market demand for DBP. In recent years, due to the potential health risks of DBP, many countries and regions have restricted its use, which has also promoted the development and application of environmentally friendly plasticizers.

Dibutyl phthalate storage method

Dibutyl phthalate has low volatility and good chemical stability, but some matters need to be paid attention to during storage and transportation. It should be stored in a cool, well-ventilated warehouse, away from direct sunlight and high temperature environment to prevent its degradation or unnecessary chemical reactions. Keep away from sources of fire, heat and oxidizers to prevent fire or explosion due to accidental leakage. The storage container shall be made of stainless steel, aluminum or other suitable material with good sealing performance to ensure the tightness of the container and prevent evaporation and leakage of DBP.

During transportation, dibutyl phthalate should be carried out in accordance with the management requirements of hazardous chemicals, use appropriate packaging containers, and clearly mark the chemical name and hazard warning information on the containers. Operators should receive relevant safety training and master emergency treatment measures to deal with possible accidents.

Dibutyl Phthalate: Environmental and Health Effects

The widespread use of dibutyl phthalate has also raised concerns about its environmental and health effects. DBP is considered to be an endocrine disruptor and may cause adverse effects on the reproductive system and development. Long-term exposure to DBP may cause liver and kidney damage, and even have the potential to cause cancer. Due to these health risks, many countries and regions have imposed strict restrictions on the use of DBP, especially in the fields of toys, children's products and food packaging.

In the environment, DBP has a certain degree of bioaccumulation and persistence, easy to accumulate in water, soil and organisms, and pose a potential threat to the ecosystem. Therefore, in the process of production and use, effective measures should be taken to prevent the leakage and discharge of DBP and reduce its impact on the environment. The development and promotion of safe and environmentally friendly alternatives is also an important direction for the future development of the industry.

Dibutyl Phthalate Substitutes

With people's attention to environmental protection and health and safety, more and more environmentally friendly plasticizers have begun to receive attention and application. For example, dioctyl phthalate (Dioctyl terephthalate, DOTP) and epoxidized soybean oil (Epoxidized soybean oil, ESO), etc., which have good plasticizing effect and lower toxicity, are considered to be ideal substitutes for DBP. Compared with DBP, these alternatives have significant advantages in terms of chemical properties, plasticizing performance and safety, which can meet the needs of various plastic products while reducing the risks to the environment and human health.

Significant progress has also been made in the research and development of bio-based plasticizers. These plasticizers are derived from renewable resources and have good biodegradability and environmental friendliness. For example, bio-based plasticizers made from natural organic acids such as citric acid and lactic acid are not only close to or even better than traditional plasticizers in performance, but also can be naturally degraded after use to reduce environmental pollution.

Summary

As an important chemical raw material and plasticizer, dibutyl phthalate is widely used in many fields because of its excellent performance. Due to its potential health and environmental risks, the future trend is to find and promote safer and more environmentally friendly alternatives. In this process, manufacturers need to continuously optimize the process, reduce the use and emissions of DBP, and strengthen the research and development and application of new plasticizers to achieve sustainable development goals. Through scientific management and technological innovation, industrial needs can be met in the protection of human health and environmental safety.