TCC's ChemFlexx DOTP Dioctyl terephthalate (bis(2-ethylhexyl) benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate), commonly abbreviated DOTP, is an organic compound with the formula C6H4(C8H17COO)2. It is the most important of the phthlte-fr TCC's ChemFlexx DOTP Dioctyl terephthalate (bis(2-ethylhexyl) benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate), commonly abbreviated DOTP, is an organic compound with the formula C6H4(C8H17COO)2. It is the most important of the phthlte-free plasticizers, being the diester of terephthalic acid and the branched-chain 2-ethylhexanol. The environmentally safe, colorless, viscous liquid possesses very good plasticizing properties.

The production process entails the reaction of dimethyl terephthalate with 2-ethylhexanol:

C6H4(CO)2(OCH3)2 + 2 C8H17OH ? C6H4(CO2 C8H17)2 + 2CH3OH

Several alternative plasticizers offer similar technical properties as DOTP after its phthalate-free nature. The alternatives include phthalates such as DINP, DOP, DPHP, DIDP and non-phthalates, e.g. DINCH and citrate esters.