3691 Diethyl phthalate Diethyl phthalate is a phthalate ester. This synthetic substance is commonly used to make plastics more flexible. Products in which it is found include toothbrushes, automobile parts, tools, toys, and food packaging. Diethyl phthalate can be released fairly easily from these products, as it is not part of the chain of chemicals (polymers) that makes up the plastic. Diethyl phthalate is also used in cosmetics, insecticides, and aspirin. Phthalate esters can cause reproductive and developmental toxicity. (L1900, A2883) 84-66-2 6781 C12H14O4 222.24 Colorless liquid. -40.5°C 295 °C 1.12 g/cm³ at 20 °C 1.08 mg/mL at 25°C Oral (L1903) ; inhalation (L1903) ; dermal (L1903) Phthalate esters are endocrine disruptors. They decrease foetal testis testosterone production and reduce the expression of steroidogenic genes by decreasing mRNA expression. Some phthalates have also been shown to reduce the expression of insulin-like peptide 3 (insl3), an important hormone secreted by the Leydig cell necessary for development of the gubernacular ligament. Animal studies have shown that these effects disrupt reproductive development and can cause a number of malformations in affected young. (A2883) Diethyl phthalate is hydrolyzed to its monoester derivative by diethyl phthalate hydrolase. Once formed, the monoester derivative can be further hydrolyzed in vivo to phthalic acid or conjugated to glucuronide, both of which can then be excreted. The terminal or next-to-last carbon atom in the monoester can also be oxidized to an alcohol, which can be excreted as is or first oxidized to an aldehyde, ketone, or carboxylic acid. The monoester and oxidative metabolites are excreted in the urine and faeces. (L1900, A2884) LD50: 8600 mg/kg (Oral, Mouse) (A719) LD50: 2800 mg/kg (Intraperitoneal, Mouse) (A719) LD50: >20 mL/kg (Dermal, Guinea pig) (L1901) LC50: >4.64 mg/L over 6 hours (Inhalation, Rat) (L1901) No indication of carcinogenicity to humans (not listed by IARC). Diethyl phthalate is commonly used to make plastics more flexible. Products in which it is found include toothbrushes, automobile parts, tools, toys, and food packaging. Diethyl phthalate can be released fairly easily from these products, as it is not part of the chain of chemicals (polymers) that makes up the plastic. Diethyl phthalate is also used in cosmetics, insecticides, and aspirin. (L1900) Acute Oral: 7 mg/kg/day (L134) Intermediate Oral: 6 mg/kg/day (L134) Phthalate esters are endocrine disruptors. Animal studies have shown that they disrupt reproductive development and can cause a number of malformations in affected young, such as reduced anogenital distance (AGD), cryptorchidism, hypospadias, and reduced fertility. The combination of effects associated with phthalates is called 'phthalate syndrome’. (A2883) Diethyl phtalate may cause skin and eye irritation. (L1900) 2009-11-29T00:38:09Z 2026-04-17T19:22:48Z http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diethyl_phthalate C14175 34698 true CCOC(=O)C1=CC=CC=C1C(=O)OCC C12H14O4 InChI=1S/C12H14O4/c1-3-15-11(13)9-7-5-6-8-10(9)12(14)16-4-2/h5-8H,3-4H2,1-2H3 FLKPEMZONWLCSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 222.2372 222.089208936 Exogenous Liquid CHEMBL388558 13837303 CHEM002607 DTXSID7021780 NS00009893 1,2-diethyl benzene-1,2-dicarboxylate