Triethyl phosphate (TEP)

Production Methods

Triethyl phosphate is manufactured from diethyl ether and phosphorus pentoxide via a metaphosphate intermediate.Prepared by the reaction of tetraethyl hypophosphate with ethanol in the presence of aluminum ethoxide or by treating triethyl phosphate with diethyl hydrogen phosphate.

Synthesis Reference(s)

The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 25, p. 1000, 1960 DOI: 10.1021/jo01076a035

Air & Water Reactions

Slowly dissolves in water with slight decomposition .

Reactivity Profile

Organophosphates, such as Triethyl phosphate, are susceptible to formation of highly toxic and flammable phosphine gas in the presence of strong reducing agents such as hydrides. Partial oxidation by oxidizing agents may result in the release of toxic phosphorus oxides.

Health Hazard

May be harmful by inhalation, ingestion or absorption. May cause irritation.

Fire Hazard

Special Hazards of Combustion Products: May produce hazardous decomposition products such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and oxides of phosphorus.

Flammability and Explosibility

Nonflammable

Safety Profile

Moderately toxic by ingestion, intraperitoneal, and intravenous routes. Experimental reproductive effects. Mutation data reported. Causes cholinesterase inhibition, but to a lesser extent than parathion. May be expected to cause nerve injury similar to that of other phosphate esters. Triethyl phosphate is stable under normal conditions of use. Avoid contact with strong bases and oxidizing agents. Triethyl phosphate is combustible at high temperatures. Heating to decomposition may release carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, phosphorus oxides and other potentially toxic fumes or gases. Avoid heat, open flames and other potential sources of ignition.

Definition

ChEBI: Triethyl phosphate is a trialkyl phosphate that is the triethy ester derivative of phosphoric acid. It derives from an ethanol.

General Description

Triethyl phosphate [78-40-0] is a colorless, corrosive liquid. Combustible. Slowly dissolves in water and sinks in water. Severely irritates skin, eyes and mucous membranes. It is manufactured from diethyl ether and phosphorus pentoxide via a metaphosphate intermediate. Triethyl phosphate has been used commercially as an additive for polyester laminates and in cellulosics. In polyester resins it functions as a viscosity depressant and as a flame retardant. The viscosity-depressant effect of triethyl phosphate in polyester resin permits high loadings of alumina trihydrate,a fire-retardant smoke-suppressant filler. Triethyl phosphate has also been employed as a flame-resistant plasticizer in cellulose acetate.Because of its water solubility the use of triethyl phosphate is limited to situations where weathering resistance is unimportant.The halogenated alkyl phosphates are generally used for applications where lower volatility and greater resistance to leaching are required.