[Chemical Knowledge]：The properties, uses, upstream and downstream raw materials, storage methods, and the role of dioctyl ester

Properties of dioctyl ester

Dioctyl ester (Dioctyl Adipate, DOA) is a commonly used plasticizer with the chemical formula C22H42O4. It is an ester compound formed by the reaction of adipic acid with n-octanol. DOA has excellent cold resistance, heat resistance, low volatility and low temperature flexibility, and is often used in plastic products that require high performance and special functions. It has a molecular weight of 370.57g/mol and a colorless transparent liquid in appearance with low odor. The boiling point of dioctyl ester is about 417°C, the melting point is -67°C, and the density is about 0.921g/cm³(20°C). These physical properties make it excellent in various plastic processing and applications. performance.

Dioctyl ester use

As a highly effective plasticizer, dioctyl ester is widely used in a variety of plastic and rubber products. It is particularly common in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products, such as wire and cable, film, artificial leather, flooring materials, etc. Due to its excellent cold resistance and softness, DOA is particularly widely used in cold environments, such as frozen food packaging films and refrigerator sealing strips. Dioctyl ester is also used to plasticize materials such as synthetic rubber, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) resin, cellulose resin and polyurethane. It can also be used as a solvent in paints, inks, lubricants and cosmetics.

Dioctyl ester upstream and downstream raw materials

The production of dioctyl ester involves a variety of upstream feedstocks, mainly adipic acid and n-octanol. Adipic acid is an important industrial organic acid and is usually produced from cyclohexane by oxidation. n-Octanol is an alcohol compound isolated from petroleum cracking products. The synthesis process of dioctyl ester is usually realized by esterification reaction. Under the action of acidic catalyst (such as sulfuric acid or p-toluenesulfonic acid), adipic acid and n-octyl alcohol react under heating conditions to produce dioctyl ester and water.

In terms of downstream products, dioctyl ester is mainly used to produce various flexible plastic products. Specific products include PVC cable material, PVC film, PVC hose, plastic floor, synthetic leather, frozen food packaging film, refrigerator sealing strip, etc. These downstream products have important applications in many industries such as construction, home appliances, automobiles, and packaging.

Dioctyl ester storage method

Dioctyl ester should be stored in a cool, ventilated, dry warehouse, avoid direct sunlight and high temperature environment. Its storage container should be sealed to prevent moisture absorption and contamination. Galvanized iron drums or plastic drums are usually used for storage and transportation. Dioctyl ester has good stability at room temperature, but a slight oxidation reaction may occur when exposed to the air for a long time, so the contact with the air should be minimized. During storage, it should be kept away from fire sources, heat sources and oxidants to prevent fires and other safety accidents.

Dioctyl Ester Market Prospects

With the rapid development of the global plastics industry, the market demand for dioctyl ester is growing. Especially in the field of PVC products, dioctyl ester, as a high-performance plasticizer, has excellent characteristics that other plasticizers cannot match. In recent years, environmental protection and health issues have received increasing attention, and the market demand for low-toxic and environmentally friendly plasticizers has increased. As a relatively safe plasticizer, dioctyl ester is in line with this development trend. Therefore, the demand for dioctyl ester in the domestic and foreign markets will maintain steady growth in the next few years.

Environmental and Health Effects of Dioctyl Ester

Although dioctyl ester is considered to be a relatively safe plasticizer, attention should be paid to its potential environmental and health effects during use. According to existing research, dioctyl ester is less toxic to humans and the environment, but its production and use may produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which have a certain impact on air quality. Therefore, in the production and application of dioctyl ester, effective waste gas treatment measures should be taken to reduce environmental pollution. The use of dioctyl ester production of plastic products in contact with food, should comply with the relevant food safety standards to ensure that harmless to human health.

Technical Development of Dioctyl Ester

With the progress of science and technology, the production process and application technology of dioctyl ester are also developing. In recent years, researchers have focused on developing more efficient and environmentally friendly synthesis methods, such as using bio-based feedstocks instead of traditional petrochemical feedstocks to reduce the carbon footprint. Improving the existing catalysts and reaction conditions to improve the synthesis efficiency and product purity of dioctyl ester is also an important direction of technological development. With the gradual maturity of these technologies, the production cost of dioctyl ester is expected to be further reduced and the market competitiveness will be enhanced.

Conclusion

As an important plasticizer, dioctyl ester is widely used in plastics, rubber and other fields because of its excellent physical and chemical properties. Through reasonable storage and processing, it can effectively ensure the safety of its use. With the growth of market demand and the progress of technology, the application prospect of dioctyl ester is broad. In order to better protect the environment and human health, it is necessary to further improve the environmental protection measures in the process of production and use. Through continuous innovation and improvement, dioctyl ester will continue to play an important role in the future market.