Published December 2002
This report, PEP Report 62A, reviews the technology for producing major plasticizers, namely phthalates and adipates for flexible PVC, and their precursors, i.g. phthalic anhydride, adipic acid and oxo alcohols, mainly 2-ethylhexanol and Isononyl alcohols. It also presents economics of processes for the production of these precursors as well as those for the production of plasticizers. The following are the processes for those compounds:
- 2-ethylhexanol (2-EH) from propylene by hydroformylation, aldol-condensation and hydrogenation
- Isononyl alcohol from octenes by hydroformylation and hydrogenation
- Phthalic anhydride from o-xylene by partial oxidation
- Adipic acid from cyclohexane by oxidation
- Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate from 2-EH and phthalic anhydride
- Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate from 2-EH and adipic acid
- Diisononyl adipate from Isononyl alcohol and adipic acid
