Substance profile
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate is a liquid with a slight odor.
01 · Identification
What Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate is
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate is a liquid with a slight odor. Its molecular formula is C24H38O4 and its molecular weight is 390.6 g/mol. It boils at 384 °C, melts at -55 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
02 · Identifiers
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate identifiers and molecular data
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate CAS number and EC number
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate molecular formula and molecular weight
Other names for Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
- bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
- di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
- DEHP
03 · GHS classification
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate pictograms and signal word
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H360FD | May damage fertility. May damage the unborn child. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. The full reference lives on the hazard statements hub, the precautionary statements hub and the GHS pictograms hub.
Safety Data Sheet
Getting an SDS for Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
A Safety Data Sheet is written for a product, not for a substance: the supplier of the grade you actually buy issues it, so two suppliers of Di(2-ethylhexyl)… issue two different sheets. That is why there is no single authoritative SDS for a substance to download — what there is, is the job of collecting the sheets for the products you hold and keeping them current as suppliers revise them.
04 · Precautionary statements
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 4 precautionary statements to Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. They are grouped the way a label groups them: what to do before handling, what to do when something has already happened, how to store it and how to dispose of it.
Prevention
What to do before and during handling so the hazard never happens.
Response
What to do once exposure, spillage or fire has already happened.
Reading the notation. … is a blank the supplier fills in — not a truncated sentence.· [square brackets] mark a part printed only when it applies.
05 · Names in the regulation
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate name in 23 EU languages
CLP Annex VI Part 3 is published in every language edition of the regulation, and the identification column is written out in each of them. Nothing below is translated by us: each line is the name as that edition prints it. Under Art. 18(2) the substance name from Annex VI is a lawful product identifier, so this is the wording to put on a label going to that market — and where the cell lists several designations, any one of them qualifies.
| Language | Name in CLP Annex VI Part 3 |
|---|---|
| Bulgarian български | бис(2-етилхексилов) фталат ди(2-етилхексилов) фталатDEHP |
| Spanish español | Ftalato de bis(2-etilhexilo) ftalato de di-(2-etilhexilo)DEHP |
| Czech čeština | bis(2-ethylhexyl)-ftalát di(2-ethylhexyl)-ftalátDEHP |
| Danish dansk | bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalat di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalatDEHP |
| German Deutsch | Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalat Di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalatDEHP |
| Estonian eesti | bis(2-etüülheksüül)ftalaat di(2-etüülheksüül)ftalaatDEHP |
| Greek ελληνικά | φθαλικός δις(2-αιθυλεξυλ)εστέρας φθαλικό δις(2-αιθυλεξύλιο)φθαλικός δι-(2-αιθυλεξυλ)εστέραςφθαλικό δι-(2-αιθυλεξύλιο)DEHP |
| English English | bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalateDEHP |
| French français | phtalate de bis(2-éthylhexyle) phtalate de di-(2-éthylhexyle)DEHP |
| Croatian hrvatski | bis(2-etilheksil)-ftalat di-(2-etilheksil)-ftalat DEHP |
| Italian italiano | ftalato di bis(2-etilesile) DEHP |
| Latvian latviešu | bis(2-etilheksil)ftalāts di-(2-etilheksil)ftalātsDEHP |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | bis(2-etilheksil) ftalatas di-(2-etilheksil)ftalatasDEHP |
| Hungarian magyar | bisz(2-etilhexil)ftalát di(2-etilhexil)ftalátDEHP |
| Maltese Malti | ftalat bis(2-etilessil) ftalat di-(2-etileksil)DEHP |
| Dutch Nederlands | bis(2-ethylhexyl)ftalaat di-(2-ethylhexyl)ftalaatDEHP |
| Polish polski | ftalan bis(2-etyloheksylu) ftalan di(2-etyloheksylu)DEHP |
| Portuguese português | ftalato de bis(2-etil-hexilo) ftalato de di(2-etil-hexilo)DEHP |
| Romanian română | ftalat de bis(2-etilhexil) ftalat de di-(2-etilhexil)DEHP |
| Slovak slovenčina | bis(2-etylhexyl)-ftalát di(2-etylhexyl)-ftalátDEHP |
| Slovenian slovenščina | bis(2-etilheksil) ftalat di-(2-etilheksil) ftalatDEHP |
| Finnish suomi | bis(2-etyyliheksyyli)ftalaatti di(2-etyyliheksyyli)ftalaattiDEHP |
| Swedish svenska | bis(2-etylhexyl)ftalat di(2-etylhexyl)ftalatDEHP |
All 23 language editions of Annex VI carry this entry. Irish is the twenty-fourth official EU language and has no line here for a different reason: no consolidated CLP text has ever been published in Irish, so there is no Irish edition of Annex VI to quote a name from. Source: consolidated CLP, CELEX 02008R1272, language editions. © European Union, https://eur-lex.europa.eu — only the electronic Official Journal of the European Union is authentic.
06 · Label elements
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
- May damage fertility. May damage the unborn child.
- Obtain special instructions before use.
- Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/…
- IF exposed or concerned:
- Get medical advice/attention.
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate health hazards and exposure limits
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate hazard summary
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthlate (DEHP) is a manufactured chemical that is commonly added to plastics to make them flexible. DEHP is a colorless liquid with almost no odor. DEHP is present in plastic products such as wall coverings, tablecloths, floor tiles, furniture upholstery, shower curtains, garden hoses, swimming pool liners, rainwear, baby pants, dolls, some toys, shoes, automobile upholstery and tops, packaging film and sheets, sheathing for wire and cable, medical tubing, and blood storage bags.
Source: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate carcinogenicity classification
Under the conditions of the postweaning-only feed study (Study 2), there was clear evidence of carcinogenic activity of DEHP in male Hsd:Sprague Dawley SD rats based on the increased incidences of hepatocellular adenoma or carcinoma (combined) and acinar adenoma or carcinoma (combined) neoplasms (predominately adenomas) of the pancreas. The occurrence of testicular interstitial cell adenoma in male rats may have been related to exposure. There was clear evidence of carcinogenic activity of DEHP in female Hsd:Sprague Dawley SD rats based on the increased incidences of hepatocellular adenoma or carcinoma (combined) and uterine (including cervix) adenoma, adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or squamous cell papilloma (combined). The occurrence of pancreatic acinar adenoma or carcinoma (combined) in female rats was considered to be related to exposure.
Source: US National Toxicology Program · TR-601: Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (CASRN 117-81-7) Administered in Feed to Sprague Dawley (Hsd:Sprague Dawley SD) Rats (2021 )
Classification of carcinogenicity: There is inadequate evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. There is sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. Overall evaluation: Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate is not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans (Group 3).
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
bis(2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate: reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
An IARC group and a CLP classification answer different questions. IARC judges whether the evidence for cancer in humans is strong enough; CLP Annex VI is the legally binding EU classification. A substance can carry one and not the other.
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate occupational exposure limits
| Limit | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PEL | 5 mg/m³ | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| PEL | TWA 5 mg/m3 See Appendix G | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| REL | 5 mg/m³ | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| REL | 10 mg/m³ | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| REL | Ca TWA 5 mg/m3 ST 10 mg/m3 See Appendix A | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| IDLH | 5000 mg/m3 ; A potential occupational carcinogen. (NIOSH, 2024) | CAMEO Chemicals |
| IDLH | NIOSH considers bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate to be a potential occupational carcinogen. | Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) |
| IDLH | 5000 mg/m³ | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
These are United States values. The European Union sets its own indicative and binding limits, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation — not the one shown here.
08 · Physical and chemical properties
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 384 °C (723.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| 386.11 °C (727 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 383.89 °C (723 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO |
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | -55 °C (-67 °F) | HSDB | |
| -50 °C (-58 °F) | NIOSH |
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 0.99 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 0.981 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.98 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | CAMEO |
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Soluble in blood and fluids containing lipoproteins | HSDB | |
| In water, 2.70X10-1 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| LESS THAN 0.01% IN WATER @ 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 0.0075 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC |
| 0.00000975 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| 1.42e-7 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | 215.56 °C (420 °F) | HSDB | |
| 207.22 °C (405 °F) | CAMEO |
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 390.56 °C (735 °F) | HSDB | |
| 350 °C (662 °F) | ICSC |
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 0.3 % by volume | at 245.56 °C | HSDB |
| 0.3 % by volume | at 245 °C | CAMEO |
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate upper explosive limit (UEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 0.28 % by volume | at 263.89 °C | OSHA |
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 16 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 13.45 (air = 1) | CAMEO |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Handling and storage
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate storage and handling
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate safe storage
Separated from strong oxidants, acids, alkalis and nitrates. Cool. Dry. Well closed.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate storage conditions
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate incompatible materials
Strong oxidizing agents
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate reactivity
DI(2-ETHYLHEXYL) PHTHALATE reacts with acids to liberate heat along with alcohols and acids. Strong oxidizing acids may cause a vigorous reaction that is sufficiently exothermic to ignite the reaction products. Heat is also generated by the interaction of esters with caustic solutions. Flammable hydrogen is generated by mixing with alkali metals and hydrides. Incompatible with nitrates (NTP, 1992).
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Di(2-ethylhexyl)… in the storage compatibility matrix →
10 · Questions
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate?
The CAS number of Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate is 117-81-7. Its EC number is 204-211-0.
What is the chemical formula of Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate?
The molecular formula of Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate is C24H38O4 and its molecular weight is 390.6 g/mol.
What does a Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate carries the pictogram Health hazard and the signal word is Danger.
Is Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate flammable?
CLP Annex VI assigns Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate no flammability hazard class. That is not a statement that it cannot burn: the harmonised list only records the hazards that were assessed for it. The flash point reported for it is 215.56 °C (420 °F) (HSDB).
Is Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. Annex VI is a list of agreed classifications, not a list of substances found safe, so this is an absence of a classification rather than a clean bill of health. IARC places it in Group 2B: possibly carcinogenic to humans.
What is the exposure limit for Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate?
The US occupational exposure limit reported for Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate is 5 mg/m³ (Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)). Limits differ by country: the EU sets its own indicative and binding values, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation.
What is the boiling point of Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate?
The boiling point reported for Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate is 384 °C (723.2 °F) (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate?
The melting point reported for Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate is -55 °C (-67 °F) (HSDB).
How should Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate be stored?
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
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