Triethyl phosphate Chemical Properties

Melting point:

-56 °C

Boiling point:

215 °C (lit.)

Density 

1.072 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.)

vapor density 

6.28 (vs air)

vapor pressure 

1 mm Hg ( 40 °C)

refractive index 

n20/D 1.403(lit.)

Flash point:

240 °F

storage temp. 

Store below +30°C.

solubility 

500g/l (slow decomposition)

form 

Liquid

color 

Clear

Specific Gravity

1.072

Odor

mild cider

PH

7 (H2O, 20℃)

explosive limit

1.2-10%(V)

Water Solubility 

SOLUBLE

Hydrolytic Sensitivity

7: reacts slowly with moisture/water

Merck 

14,9674

BRN 

1705772

Dielectric constant

13.01

Dielectric constant

7.2（20℃）

Stability:

Stable. Combustible. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, water.

InChIKey

DQWPFSLDHJDLRL-UHFFFAOYSA-N

LogP

1.11 at 20℃

CAS DataBase Reference

78-40-0(CAS DataBase Reference)

NIST Chemistry Reference

Triethyl phosphate(78-40-0)

EPA Substance Registry System

Triethyl phosphate (78-40-0)

Safety Information

Hazard Codes 

Xn

Risk Statements 

22-36

Safety Statements 

25-26

WGK Germany 

1

RTECS 

TC7900000

Autoignition Temperature

845 °F

TSCA 

Yes

HS Code 

29190090

Hazardous Substances Data

78-40-0(Hazardous Substances Data)

Toxicity

LD50 orally in Rabbit: 1165 mg/kg

MSDS

• Language:English Provider:Triethyl phosphate
• Language:English Provider:SigmaAldrich
• Language:English Provider:ACROS
• Language:English Provider:ALFA

Triethyl phosphate Usage And Synthesis

Chemical Properties

Triethyl Phosphate (TEP) is a colorless, high-boiling liquid and containing 17 wt % phosphorus; mild odor. Very stable at ordinary temperatures, compatible with many gums and resins, soluble in most organic solvents, miscible with water. When mixed with water is quite stable at room temperature, but at elevated temperatures it hydrolyzes slowly.

TEP is useful as a solvent in many applications, as a plasticizer for tough, fire-resistant plastics, and as an agricultural chemical as an intermediate in preparing tetraethyl pyrophosphate (TEPP).
Like other phosphate esters, Triethyl phosphate damages nerves and is a cholinesterase inhibitor. It is regarded as moderately toxic. Two other alkyl phosphates with toxicities probably similar to that of triethylphosphate are tributylphosphate, (n-C4H9O)3PO, and tris(2-ethylhexyl)-phosphate, (C8H17O)3PO.

Uses

Triethyl phosphate is use as a flame retardant in the manufacture of polyisocyanurate (PIR) and polyurethane (PUR) foam insulation and thermoset plastic products. The chemical compound is also used as a viscosity reducer in plastic resins, and as a catalyst, solvent or intermediate in the production of pesticides, pharmaceuticals, lacquers and other products.As ethylating agent; formation of polyesters which are used as insecticides.

Definition

ChEBI: Triethyl phosphate is a trialkyl phosphate that is the triethy ester derivative of phosphoric acid. It derives from an ethanol.

Production Methods

Triethyl phosphate is manufactured from diethyl ether and phosphorus pentoxide via a metaphosphate intermediate.
Prepared by the reaction of tetraethyl hypophosphate with ethanol in the presence of aluminum ethoxide or by treating triethyl phosphate with diethyl hydrogen phosphate.

Synthesis Reference(s)

The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 25, p. 1000, 1960 DOI: 10.1021/jo01076a035

General Description

Triethyl phosphate [78-40-0] is a colorless, corrosive liquid. Combustible. Slowly dissolves in water and sinks in water. Severely irritates skin, eyes and mucous membranes. It is manufactured from diethyl ether and phosphorus pentoxide via a metaphosphate intermediate. Triethyl phosphate has been used commercially as an additive for polyester laminates and in cellulosics. In polyester resins it functions as a viscosity depressant and as a flame retardant. The viscosity-depressant effect of triethyl phosphate in polyester resin permits high loadings of alumina trihydrate,a fire-retardant smoke-suppressant filler. Triethyl phosphate has also been employed as a flame-resistant plasticizer in cellulose acetate.Because of its water solubility the use of triethyl phosphate is limited to situations where weathering resistance is unimportant.The halogenated alkyl phosphates are generally used for applications where lower volatility and greater resistance to leaching are required.

Air & Water Reactions

Slowly dissolves in water with slight decomposition .

Reactivity Profile

Organophosphates, such as Triethyl phosphate, are susceptible to formation of highly toxic and flammable phosphine gas in the presence of strong reducing agents such as hydrides. Partial oxidation by oxidizing agents may result in the release of toxic phosphorus oxides.

Health Hazard

May be harmful by inhalation, ingestion or absorption. May cause irritation.

Fire Hazard

Special Hazards of Combustion Products: May produce hazardous decomposition products such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and oxides of phosphorus.

Flammability and Explosibility

Non flammable

Safety Profile

Triethyl Phosphate is a flame retardant that exhibits low acute toxicity after oral, dermal or inhalation exposure. It is moderately toxic by ingestion, intraperitoneal, and intravenous routes. Experimental reproductive effects. Mutation data reported. Causes cholinesterase inhibition, but to a lesser extent than parathion. May be expected to cause nerve injury similar to that of other phosphate esters. Triethyl phosphate is stable under normal conditions of use. Avoid contact with strong bases and oxidizing agents. Triethyl phosphate is combustible at high temperatures. Heating to decomposition may release carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, phosphorus oxides and other potentially toxic fumes or gases. Avoid heat, open flames and other potential sources of ignition.

Triethyl phosphate(78-40-0)Related Product Information

• Triethylaluminum
• Triethyl orthoformate
• Clindamycin phosphate
• SULPHOSUCCINIC ACID ESTER
• Sodium Phosphate Monobasic Monohydrate
• Diethyl phosphite
• Zinc phosphate
• Ammonium dihydrogen phosphate
• Creatine phosphate
• Triethylsilane
• Triethyl phosphite
• Tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate
• Tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate
• Diethyl cyanomethylphosphonate
• Trisodium phosphate
• Calcium phosphate
• Triethylphosphine
• Ethyl dichlorophosphate