Plasticizer composition comprising di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate

A plasticizer composition comprising;

• di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate present in an amount greater than or equal to 99.9 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of said plasticizer composition;
• wherein said plasticizer composition comprises less than a combined total of 0.1 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of said plasticizer composition, of the following:
• i. a di-ester according to Formula I:
• wherein R1 is a straight chain or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 13 carbon atoms, and
• wherein R1 is different than 2-ethylhexane;
• ii. the reaction product of:
• a. terephthalic acid, and
• b. decomposition products of 2-ethylhexanol, decomposition products of a titanium catalyst, or combinations thereof;
• and
• iii. di(methyl) terephthalate.

A plasticizer composition comprising di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate which is substantially free of a di-ester according to Formula I:

• R1 is a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 13 carbon atoms and R1 is different than 2-ethylhexane;
• wherein said plasticizer composition is prepared by a method comprising the steps of:
• combining terephthalic acid and 2-ethylhexanol to firm a mixture;
• heating the mixture from a first temperature (T1) to a second temperature (T2) without a catalyst present in the mixture;
• combining a titanium catalyst with the mixture after the mixture is at the second temperature (T2);
• increasing pressure from a first pressure (P1) to a second pressure (P2) after the mixture is at the second temperature (T2);
• and
• increasing the temperature of the mixture from the second temperature (T2) to a third temperature (T3) while maintaining the second pressure (P2);
• wherein said di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate is present in an amount greater than or equal to 99.9 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of said plasticizer composition and said di-ester according to Formula I is present in an amount less than 0.1 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of said plasticizer composition.

A method for preparing a plasticizer composition comprising di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate which is substantially free of a di-ester according to Formula I:

• R1 is a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 13 carbon atoms and R1 is different than 2-ethylhexane, said method comprising:
• combining terephthalic acid and 2-ethylhexanol to form a mixture;
• heating the mixture from a first temperature (T1) to a second temperature (T2) without a catalyst present in the mixture;
• combining a titanium catalyst with the mixture after the mixture is at the second temperature (T2);
• increasing pressure from a first press (P1) to a second pressure (P2) after the mixture is at the second temperature (T2);
• and
• increasing the temperature of the mixture from the second temperature (T2) to a third temperature (T3) while maintaining the second pressure (P2);
• wherein di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate is present in an amount greater than or equal to 99.9 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the plasticizer composition and the di-ester according to Formula I is present in an amount less than 0.1 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the plasticizer composition.

A food wrap comprising;

• polyvinylchloride;
• and
• a plasticizer composition comprising di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate and which is substantially free of a di-ester according to Formula I:
• wherein R1 is a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 13 carbon atoms, and
• wherein R1 is different than 2-ethylhexane,
• wherein said di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate is present in an amount greater than or equal to 99.9 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of said plasticizer composition and said di-ester according to Formula I is present in an amount less than 0.1 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of said plasticizer composition.