Diethyl phthalate has been used as a substitute for camphor in the manufacture of celluloid, as a solvent for cellulose acetate in the manufacture of varnishes and dopes, as a ftxative for perfumes, and for denaturing ethanol.
Diethyl phthalate is a clear, colorless, oily liquid. It is practically odorless, or with a very slight aromatic odor and a bitter, disagreeable taste. It is miscible with ethanol and ethyl ether. Diethyl phthalate is soluble in acetone, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, alcohols, ketones, esters, and aromatic hydrocarbons and partly miscible with aliphatic solvents. Diethyl phthalate, when exposed to heat, decomposes and emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes. It is incompatible with strong oxidisers, strong acids, nitric acid, permanganates, and water and attacks some forms of plastics. Diethyl phthalate is produced in the reaction of phthalic anhydride with ethanol in the presence of concentrated sulphuric acid catalyst.
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