Diethyl phthalate

Diethyl phthalate (CAS 84-66-2), commonly abbreviated as DEP, is a phthalate ester plasticizer and solvent.

Where is Diethyl phthalate used?

• Personal care and cosmetics: fixative and solvent in fragrance formulations, helping extend scent longevity
• Personal care and cosmetics: improves spreadability in lotions and sprays
• Plastics processing: plasticizer in cellulose-based polymers, particularly cellulose acetate, to produce flexible films, tool handles, and packaging materials
• Printing inks and coatings: solvent carrier that controls viscosity and aids film formation during application
• It functions as a cross-linking agent and stabilizer in certain specialty polymer systems.

Good to know: Standard commercial grades include technical grade and cosmetic/fragrance grade, with the latter meeting purity requirements for personal care applications. Specifications are typically aligned with pharmacopeial standards such as BP and Ph. Eur. where cosmetic or pharmaceutical use demands documented quality.

Commercial specifications

• Clear, low-viscosity liquid in drum and IBC quantities, with bulk tanker options for high-volume procurement