Dibutyl phthalate

Description

Dibutyl phthalate is included as an insect repellent in some aerosol sprays used to treat flystrike in sheep. It is colorless oily liquid with a very weak aromatic odor.

Description

Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) is an oily, sparingly water-soluble liquid with a very high boiling point (350 oC). In 1962, R. H. Mills, M. W. Farrar, and O. J. Weinkauff at Monsanto reported its preparation from phthalic acid and?n-butyl chloride. More recently, the predominant manufacturing method was the reaction of phthalic anhydride with?n-butyl alcohol.
DBP’s original use was as an insect repellent that was impregnated into clothing; but it gained its greatest use (and notoriety) as a plasticizer for poly(vinyl chloride) used in many consumer products. In the 1980s, toxicological studies revealed it to be a suspected endocrine disruptor and teratogen; and by the late 2000s, it had been banned for all uses in the United States and the European Union.
Some chemical companies, including producers of phthalate esters, are now marketing?phthalate replacements. Examples are Eastman’s Benzoflex (benzoate ester) and Effusion (di-n-butyl terephthalate) lines of PVC plasticizers.

The Uses of Dibutyl phthalate

Dibutyl phthalate is used in plasticizers, cosmetics, safety glass, insecticides, printing inks, paper coatings, adhesives, elastomers and explosives; solvent in polysulfide dental impression materials; solvent for perfume oils; perfume fixative; textile lubricating agent; solid rocket propellent; emollient in aerosol antiperspirants; insect repeller; plasticizer in various plastic materials.