Tributyl Citrate (TBC) Product Description (CAS# 77-94-1)

Tributyl Citrate (TBC)—chemically known as tributyl 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylate—has the molecular formula C₁₈H₃₂O₇ and a molecular weight of 360.44. At room temperature, it appears as an odorless, colorless to slightly yellowish oily liquid. Its physical properties include a melting point of -20°C, a boiling point of approximately 233°C (at 2.93 kPa), a flash point of 185°C, and a density of about 1.04 g/cm³ (at 20°C). Regarding solubility, TBC is miscible with most organic solvents but is insoluble in water. Industrially, it is produced using citric acid and n-butanol as raw materials; the process involves an esterification reaction in the presence of a catalyst, followed by post-treatment steps such as alcohol removal and decolorization via alkali washing. TBC is a non-toxic, eco-friendly plasticizer that lacks a benzene ring structure; it is characterized by low volatility, excellent resin compatibility, and high plasticizing efficiency. These unique properties make it highly valuable for applications across various sectors, including plastics, food packaging, healthcare, cosmetics, and fragrances.

Product Applications of Tributyl Citrate (CAS# 77-94-1)

Tributyl citrate is an important, non-toxic, and eco-friendly plasticizer widely used across various industries, including plastics, food packaging, healthcare, cosmetics, and fragrances.

In the plastics industry, tributyl citrate serves as a plasticizer for polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated olefin copolymers, and cellulose resins. It offers excellent compatibility and high plasticizing efficiency, along with superior resistance to cold, light, and water, imparting good low-temperature performance to finished products. In the food packaging and healthcare sectors, tributyl citrate is recognized as a non-toxic, environmentally friendly plasticizer; it is approved in Europe and the United States for use in food packaging, medical products, soft toys for children, pharmaceuticals, and other related applications. In the cosmetics industry, it is used in the manufacture of fragrances and cosmetic products. In analytical chemistry, tributyl citrate functions as a stationary phase for gas chromatography (with a maximum operating temperature of 150°C and methanol as the solvent) for the separation and analysis of esters and aromatic hydrocarbons. Additionally, it serves as a toughening agent for plastics, a defoamer, and a solvent for nitrocellulose.