Bis(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (CAS 6422-86-2) — Woody Not applicable Note Fragrance Ingredient

ByThe Good Scents
Woody · Sweet

Bis(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate

CAS 6422-86-2

Origin
synthetic
Note
Not applicable
IFRA
Use with awareness
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is Bis(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate?

Bis(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate is a synthetic compound primarily used as a plasticizer in flexible plastics and vinyl products. You might encounter it in shower curtains, flooring materials, or soft plastic toys. While not a traditional fragrance ingredient, its subtle chemical odor occasionally appears in industrial or functional scent applications where durability is key.

Safety Profile

USE WITH AWARENESS
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
⚠ Not approved for direct fragrance use
⚠ Potential migration concerns in products
CAS
6422-86-2
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Woody · Sweet
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Bis(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate Smell Like?

This plasticizer carries a faint, waxy odor reminiscent of new vinyl shower curtains or fresh synthetic leather. The scent profile is linear – a persistent chemical sweetness with undertones of paraffin and a barely perceptible fruity nuance. When warmed, it releases a more pronounced synthetic character with hints of plasticized rubber and mineral oil.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

Bis(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate

SMILES: CCCCC(CC)COC(=O)C1=CC=C(C=C1)C(=O)OCC(CC)CCCC

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Bis(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate belongs to the ester class of compounds, specifically a diester of terephthalic acid. Unlike fragrance esters, this molecule is engineered for polymer compatibility rather than olfactory properties. Industrial synthesis typically involves esterification of terephthalic acid with 2-ethylhexanol under acidic conditions. The branched alkyl chains provide flexibility to plasticized materials while reducing volatility.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Not applicable
Volatility
Very low
Blending
Not recommended
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Industrial applicationsNot usedNot usedNot a fragrance ingredient

Classic Accords

Tip: This material is not suitable for perfumery applications.

Alternatives & Comparisons

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.

IFRA Status

Not listed in IFRA standards as it’s not a fragrance material.

RIFM Assessment

Not evaluated by RIFM for fragrance use.

Sustainability

As a synthetic plasticizer, its environmental impact comes primarily from persistence in ecosystems and potential for bioaccumulation. Production relies on petrochemical feedstocks. While effective for its intended industrial purposes, it doesn’t meet sustainability criteria for modern fragrance applications.

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References

    Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.

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    Physicochemical Properties

    DTXSID: DTXSID7027625

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight 390.564 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
    Density 0.982 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX
    Boiling Point 385.25 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Melting Point -34.667 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Flash Point 225 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Refractive Index 1.489 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
    Molar Volume 397.067 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

    Partition & Solubility

    LogP (Octanol-Water) 7.884 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 5.5) 7.884 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 7.4) 7.884 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 11.69 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    Water Solubility 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX
    Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

    Transport Properties

    Vapor Pressure 0 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX
    Viscosity 37.013 cP📊 OPERA
    Surface Tension 32.847 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
    Thermal Conductivity 139.348 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA

    Molecular Descriptors

    Topological Polar Surface Area 52.6 Ų💻 Computed
    H-Bond Donors 0 count💻 Computed
    H-Bond Acceptors 4 count💻 Computed
    Rotatable Bonds 14 count💻 Computed
    Aromatic Rings 1 count💻 Computed
    Molar Refractivity 114.577 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
    Polarizability 45.422 Å^3📊 OPERA

    Data Sources:

    🔬 EPA Experimental data from U.S. EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard & CTX APIs. 📊 OPERA Predicted using EPA's OPERA QSAR models. 💻 Computed Calculated from SMILES using RDKit.

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