Key attributes
Industry-specific attributes
Other attributes
TBC, Tributyl citrate is a new type of non-toxic plastic plasticizer, which is considered an environmentally friendly product to replace traditional phthalate plasticizers due to its good solubility, high plasticizing efficiency, low volatility, and strong weather resistance. The application of TBC is extremely extensive, including but not limited to food, pharmaceutical packaging, plasma bags, disposable injection infusion tubes, etc. In addition, TBC also has characteristics such as light resistance, water resistance, and heat resistance, and has good thermal stability during sealing without discoloration, making it suitable for various resin materials such as vinyl resin. Due to its non-toxic, antibacterial, and flame-retardant properties, TBC is widely used in interior materials for medical machinery, household items, transportation vehicles, and toy plastics
The two main varieties of citrate esters, tributyl citrate (TBC) and acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC), have been approved by the US FDA as safe and non-toxic plasticizers, and are also recommended for use in packaging materials in China. Tributyl citrate (TBC) is synthesized by esterification of citric acid and nbutanol under the action of a catalyst. Acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) is made from acetic acid, citric acid, and nbutanol as raw materials.
Density | 1.1±0.1 g/cm3 |
Boiling Point | 389.8±9.0 °C at 760 mmHg |
Melting Point | ≥300 °C(lit.) |
Molecular Formula | C18H32O7 |
Molecular Weight | 360.45 |
Flash Point | 120.7±12.2 °C |
PSA | 99.13 |
LogP | 4.68 |
Vapour Pressure | 0.0±2.0 mmHg at 25°C |
Index of Refraction | 1.465 |
Water Solubility | insoluble |
Appearance | Colorless transparent liquid |
Odor | Essentially odorless |
Content %≥ | 99.0 |
Specific gravity (ρ20ºC) g/cm3 | 0.99±0.01 |
Acidity(mgKOH/g) | 0.05 |
Water content(wt) %≤ | 0.1 |
Color (Pt-Co) ≤ | 50 |
Flash Point (C)≥ > | 200 |
Product Name | CAS NO. | Other Name | Product Name | CAS NO. | Other Name |
102-76-1 | Triacetin | TA | 27138-31-4 | Oxydipropyl dibenzoate | |
103-23-1 | Bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate | DEHA | 27214-90-0 | Diisooctyl Sebacate | DIOS |
105-76-0 | Dibutyl maleate | DBM | 28553-12-0 | Diisononyl phthalate | DINP |
105-99-7 | Dibutyl Adipate | DBA | 3319-31-1 | Trioctyl trimellitate | TOTM |
106-79-6 | Dimethyl Sebacate | DMS | 629-11-8 | 1,6-Hexanediol | |
109-43-3 | Dibutyl Sebacate | DBS | 6422-86-2 | Dioctyl terephthalate | DOTP |
110-64-5 | 2-Butene-1,4-diol | 6846-50-0 | 2,2,4-Trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate | TXIB | |
117-81-7 | bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate | DEHP | 77-89-4 | Acetyl triethyl citrate | ATEC |
117-84-0 | Dioctyl phthalate | DOP | 77-90-7 | Tributyl O-acetylcitrate | ATBC |
120-55-8 | Diethylene glycol dibenzoate | DEGDB | 77-93-0 | Triethyl Citrate | TEC |
123-79-5 | Dioctyl adipate | DOA | 77-94-1 | Tributyl Citrate | TBC |
126-73-8 | Tributyl phosphate | TBP | 8013/7/8 | Epoxidized Soybean Oil | ESO |
131-11-3 | Dimethyl phthalate | DMP | 82469-79-2 | butyryl tri-n-hexyl citrate | BTHC |
141-04-8 | Diisobutyl adipate | DIBA | 84-66-2 | Diethyl phthalate | DEP |
144-15-0 | tris(2-ethylhexyl) 2-(acetyloxy)propane-1,2,3-tricarboxylate | 84-74-2 | Dibutyl phthalate | DBP | |
16544-70-0 | 1,2,3-Propanetricarboxylic acid, 2-hydroxy-, trihexyl ester | 85-68-7 | Butyl benzyl phthalate | BBP | |
166412-78-8 | Bis(7-methyloctyl) Cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate | DINCH | 26761-40-0 | diisodecyl phthalate | DIDP |
2432-87-3 | Diocty Sebacate | DOS | 94-28-0 | Triglycol dioctate | |
24817-92-3 | Trihexyl O-acetylcitrate | ATHC | 63449-39-8 | Chlorinated paraffin | CP |
25265-77-4 | 2,2,4-Trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate | 68937-41-7 | Isopropylated Triphenyl Phosphate | IPPP | |
26544-17-2 | Diisooctyl azelaate | DOA | 78-42-2 | Tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate |
Tributyl citrate (TBC) has attracted widespread attention due to its good compatibility, high plasticizing efficiency, non toxicity, low volatility, and strong weather resistance, making it the preferred green and environmentally friendly alternative to phthalates. It maintains good flexibility and is resistant to light, water, and heat even when used in cold regions. It has good thermal stability during sealing without discoloration, is safe and durable, and is suitable for packaging food and medical products, plasma bags, and disposable injection infusion tubes.
TBC can plasticize PVC, PP, and cellulose resins, and has good compatibility; The use of TBC with other non-toxic plasticizers can improve the hardness of the product, especially for soft fiber ethers; TBC has non-toxic and antibacterial properties, does not breed bacteria, and also has flame retardancy, so it is widely used in vinyl resins; Thin films, beverage tubes, food bottle seals, medical machinery, hospital walls, walls and ceilings in homes, restaurants, hotels, and public places, as well as in canteens, kitchens, hygiene areas, etc., all require this type of sterilization flame retardant plasticizer; Plastic products inside the compartments of transportation vehicles, including defense aircraft, warships, and tanks, must also use this plasticizer; TBC is also widely used in toy plastics; It has the ability to improve the UV resistance of nitrocellulosand is a solvent for various fragrances; Can enhance the cleaning ability of detergents; As an additive and emulsifier in cosmetics, it can have therapeutic and nutritional effects on injured skin, as well as prevent UV radiation from evaporating moisture from the stratum corneum, protecting the skin from moisture and physiological elasticity; Used as lubricating oil, extreme pressure anti friction agent, and smoothing agent for polyoxyethylene resin;


Adding TBC to tobacco can absorb the HCN toxic gas generated during cigarette combustion, thereby reducing the toxicity to smokers. TBC can maintain the toughness of the cigarette without breaking it; It is used as foam remover for protein containing liquid, deodorant for shoes and socks, paper flavoring auxiliary, and anti scorching agent for rubber industry processing.
ATBC is a non-toxic and odorless main plasticizer, with lower toxicity than TBC. ATBC, as the main plasticizer, has strong solubility, good oil and light resistance, and excellent mold resistance. It has good compatibility with most cellulose, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, etc., and is mainly used as a plasticizer for cellulose resins and vinyl resins. In terms of children's toys, with the continuous discovery of DOP toxicity data, more and more fields prohibit the use of DOP. ATBC is non-toxic, odorless, transparent, and has a low water extraction rate. The plastic products plasticized by it have excellent processing performance, good heat sealing, and convenient secondary processing, making it particularly suitable for use as the main plasticizer for children's toys. In terms of meat product packaging,
ATBC is non-toxic and can be used as a packaging material for meat products, while DOP cannot be applied in the packaging field of high-fat foods. Moreover, ATBC is odorless and does not cause food odors. The plastic products plasticized by it are transparent and have good printing performance.

In terms of medical products, ATBC is non-toxic, has a low water extraction rate, and has no potential harm to the human body. Medical products plasticized by ATBC have good high and low temperature resistance. ATBC, as an excellent plasticizer, not only meets the requirements of non-toxic plasticizers, but can also be used in general plastic products. Cellulose film plasticized with ATBC has low volatility loss and stronger adhesion to metals compared to cellulose film containing DBP.