People who work in chemical plants, laboratories, or the plastics and rubber industries might come across Isopropylated Trisphenyl Phosphate, sometimes called ITPP or C27H33O4P by its molecular formula. It’s not the sort of product that gets talked about outside specialist industries, yet its importance stretches far. The chemical belongs to the group of organophosphates and plays its role as a flame retardant and plasticizer, which means certain plastic goods, coatings, and adhesives carry it at their core. Most of the time, those working with ITPP handle it as a viscous liquid, but it can also be found in powder or flakes, depending on how it’s made or purified.
This molecule features three aromatic rings linked through phosphate and branched with isopropyl groups, giving it a dense chemical backbone—makes sense for why it’s valued in heavy-duty material applications. Its molecular weight clocks in around 450 g/mol, which is on the heavier side compared to nearby relatives in the phosphate family. In the lab, it appears as a colorless to pale yellow transparent liquid, though crystals or pearl-shaped forms can also show up depending on temperature and storage. It resists dissolving in water but finds itself readily mixing with organic solvents. The density usually hovers near 1.17–1.19 g/cm³, which means it’s heavier than water and sinks quickly during mixing or spills.
Isopropylated Trisphenyl Phosphate arrives in steel drums or high-grade plastic barrels, and the best known specifications focus on purity (typically above 98%), acidity, color index, and moisture content. Buyers check not just for these numbers, but for free phenol and isopropanol, since raw material remnants affect process safety. Its solidification point sits low, letting manufacturers pour or pump the liquid with very little heat or effort under most conditions. In flake or powder form, it flows easily, and the material is stable under normal conditions—yet not invincible to heat and oxidation, where breakdowns can threaten both its performance and safety.
The main job of Isopropylated Trisphenyl Phosphate is to slow down how quickly things ignite or burn. Think about vinyl wall coverings, wire insulation, or polyurethane foams, and there’s a good chance some variation of this phosphate stands guard as a flame retardant. Plastics get their flexibility through “plasticizers,” where this molecule pulls its weight too. Those who handle logistics should know the standard HS Code 2919900090 for international shipping, crucial for compliance and traceability. Because of its chemical makeup, it has become a go-to for car interiors, electronics housings, and commercial furniture.
Bringing up safety, Isopropylated Trisphenyl Phosphate doesn’t sting or burn on touch, and it doesn’t smell strong, but this can fool people into thinking it’s harmless. Workers need gloves, goggles, and good ventilation. Liquid splashes can irritate skin and eyes, and the dust in powdered form can bother lungs if left unchecked. Research into chronic hazards keeps growing; some studies suggest these organophosphates can disrupt hormones or linger in soil if they escape waste treatment. Regulatory bodies list ITPP as “hazardous but not acutely toxic”—a far cry from the worst pesticides, but still a chemical requiring respect on every step of the supply chain. That’s a wake-up call for companies storing, transporting, or disposing of it. Solutions often come down to toughened protocols: closed handling systems, periodic air monitoring, and robust waste treatment before anything enters rivers or landfill.
Factories turning out Isopropylated Trisphenyl Phosphate start with phenol, phosphorus oxychloride, and isopropanol, feeding them into reactors under careful temperature control. These raw materials all need certification for purity, and their own hazard profiles can dwarf the final product’s. Shifts in supply of these building blocks ripple through the price and quality of finished batches. Global supply chains, often stretched by politics or disasters, can cause costly delays in production or testing. That’s a real pain point for those depending on continuity—such as electronics or automotive suppliers—where the tolerances for error are slim and contracts penalize interruptions. Transparent sourcing, backup suppliers, and local storage keep things on track.
The chemical industry, plus end-users, shoulder the responsibility for making sure products with Isopropylated Trisphenyl Phosphate don’t become environmental headaches or health hazards. Some research out there points to possible alternatives, but few match its performance at the same price, especially for fire safety. Investing in better air filtering, closed systems, and spill containment lowers the risk for workers and neighbors alike—real differences that show up in lower accident rates and community trust. Wastewater, for example, needs thorough filtering and treatment so organophosphates don’t reach groundwater. Industry cooperation, not just ticking regulatory boxes, builds the public trust that keeps these businesses running.
Isopropylated Trisphenyl Phosphate, formula C27H33O4P, weighs in as a heavy, organophosphate-based flame retardant and plasticizer. It appears as a liquid, flake, crystal, or powder; its density is around 1.17–1.19 g/cm³. Used widely across automotive, electronics, and building materials, its HS Code is 2919900090. Handling requires care due to its hazard profile, and the supply chain stretches back through phenol, isopropanol, and phosphorus reagents, all requiring strict management. Those with a hand in its production or application strengthen outcomes by investing in safety gear, environmental controls, and staff training.
