Tributyl Phosphate TBP
| HS Code | 433836 |
| Chemical Formula | C12H27O4P |
| Molar Mass | 266.314 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless, viscous liquid |
| Odor | Faint, pleasant odor |
| Density | 0.972 g/cm³ at 20 °C |
| Boiling Point | 289 - 292 °C |
| Melting Point | -80 °C |
| Solubility In Water | Insoluble, 0.3 g/L at 25 °C |
| Solubility In Organic Solvents | Soluble in many organic solvents like ethanol, ether, benzene |
| Flash Point | 146 °C |
| Refractive Index | 1.422 - 1.424 at 20 °C |
As an accredited Tributyl Phosphate TBP factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Tributyl Phosphate TBP is packaged in galvanized iron barrels for industrial grade, with rubber gaskets embedded in the barrel lids, and reinforced with iron hoops after tightening; reagent grade uses colorless glass bottles with glass stoppers, wrapped with foam and put into wooden boxes to prevent falling and leakage. |
| Storage | Tributyl Phosphate TBP should be stored in a dry, ventilated and cool warehouse away from open flames and high temperature sources, such as firewood. It should not be stored together with strong oxidants, strong acids and strong alkalis, as they may react drastically. The warehouse floor is covered with a leak-proof cushion, and the barrel body is raised off the ground. Regularly check whether the barrel body is damaged or leaking. If abnormal, move it to a safe place for proper disposal. |
| Shipping | Tributyl Phosphate TBP is transported in dangerous goods vehicles, marked with "flammable liquids", with wooden boards between barrels to prevent shock, and oilcloths on rainy and snowy days. If leaks, sand and soil should be used to absorb them, and they should not flow into water sources. |
Competitive Tributyl Phosphate TBP prices that fit your budget—flexible terms and customized quotes for every order.
For samples, pricing, or more information, please call us at +8615380400285 or mail to sales2@liwei-chem.com.
We will respond to you as soon as possible.
Tel: +8615380400285
Email: sales2@liwei-chem.com
Historical Development
In ancient times, extraction was mostly done by leaching with oils and fats. With the rise of modern metallurgy, rare metals need to be separated, so craftsmen made Tributyl Phosphate TBP. The extraction efficiency was low at first, but after improvement, it has become a key extractant for hydrometallurgy.
Product Overview
Tributyl Phosphate TBP is a colorless liquid with a slight ester fragrance. It is insoluble in water, soluble in organic solvents, has a high boiling point, low volatility, and has excellent extraction properties. It is also used as a plasticizer and defoamer.
Physical & Chemical Properties
Tributyl Phosphate TBP has a density lower than water, feels oily, has a high flash point, is a flammable liquid, is difficult to decompose when heated, has no strong corrosion to metals, and is slightly irritating to the skin.
Technical Specifications & Labeling
The standard for Tributyl Phosphate TBP is purity ≥99%, moisture ≤0.05%, and the full name Tributyl Phosphate TBP must be written on the label, with extraction properties and safety instructions attached.
Preparation Method
Tributyl Phosphate TBP is usually prepared with phosphoric acid and n-butanol as raw materials, concentrated sulfuric acid as a catalyst, heated to reflux reaction, neutralized, washed with water, and distilled to obtain the finished product, and temperature controlled to prevent burning.
Chemical Reactions & Modifications
Tributyl Phosphate TBP is hydrolyzed with strong alkali to generate butyl phosphate and butanol; it can react with nitric acid to generate nitro compounds, and it is easy to burn when in contact with strong oxidants at high temperatures.
Synonyms & Product Names
Tributyl Phosphate TBP is also known as "tributyl phosphate", but in the field of metallurgy and chemical industry, the full name Tributyl Phosphate TBP must be used to indicate the standard.
Safety & Operational Standards
When handling Tributyl Phosphate TBP, goggles and oil-resistant gloves must be worn. It is forbidden to work near open flames. If you feel uncomfortable when inhaling vapor, move to a ventilated place. If it is serious, seek medical attention.
Application Area
Tributyl Phosphate TBP is widely used. In the nuclear industry, it is used as an extractant to separate rare earth elements and radioactive substances; in the plastics industry, it can be used as a plasticizer to enhance the flexibility of products; in the coating and ink industries, it can be used as a solvent to improve leveling and dispersibility; it is also used in flame retardant materials to enhance their fire resistance, and it can play an important role in many industrial fields.
Research & Development
Current research on Tributyl Phosphate TBP is committed to optimizing the preparation process, reducing energy consumption and costs, and reducing the discharge of three wastes; on the other hand, it explores its application in emerging fields such as new energy materials and environmentally friendly extraction technology, improves its performance through modification, and expands its application scope to meet the needs of green industrial development.
Toxicity Research
Tributyl Phosphate TBP has low toxicity, but large amounts of inhalation or ingestion can irritate the mucous membranes and central nervous system, and long-term contact can cause dry skin, so protection is required.
Future Prospects
As the demand for rare metals increases, the demand for Tributyl Phosphate TBP will steadily increase, and its process will develop towards greenness, or explore new uses in the field of environmental management.
Where to Buy Tributyl Phosphate TBP in China?
As a trusted Tributyl Phosphate TBP manufacturer, we deliver:
Factory-Direct Value: Competitive pricing with no middleman markups, tailored for bulk orders and project-scale requirements.
Technical Excellence: Precision-engineered solutions backed by R&D expertise, from formulation to end-to-end delivery.
Whether you need industrial-grade quantities or specialized customizations, our team ensures reliability at every stage—from initial specification to post-delivery support.
As a leading Tributyl Phosphate TBP supplier, we deliver high-quality products across diverse grades to meet evolving needs, empowering global customers with safe, efficient, and compliant chemical solutions.
How to improve the yield when preparing Tributyl Phosphate TBP?
To make this product, phosphoric acid and n-butanol are used as raw materials, and placed in a stainless steel reactor at a ratio of 1:5. Concentrated sulfuric acid is added as a catalyst, and the amount is 2% of the total raw material. Heat to 130 degrees to generate water for the reaction, which is separated by a water separator and the reaction is continued for five hours until no water is discharged. After the reaction, the remaining acid is neutralized, and the excess butanol is distilled and recovered, and then distilled to obtain Tributyl Phosphate TBP. The key is to separate the water thoroughly, such as boiling sugar to remove water. If the water is completely removed, the yield is high, which can reach 94%. If the butanol is too much or too little, the reaction is incomplete. Therefore, the ratio and water separation are important. Only when the two are appropriate can a good product be obtained.
What are the wonderful uses of Tributyl Phosphate TBP in the extraction process?
This product is a leader in extractants. In hydrometallurgy, the separation coefficient of extracting rare earth elements such as cerium and lanthanum is more than 50, which is far higher than other extractants. It is used to extract uranium from uranium ore. It can form a stable complex with uranyl ions. After back extraction, high-purity uranium with a purity of 99.9% can be obtained. Its extraction capacity increases with the increase of acidity. In concentrated nitric acid system, the extraction rate is close to 100%. When mixed with kerosene as an organic phase, it has good fluidity, is not easy to emulsify, and has a fast phase separation speed. Therefore, it is indispensable in the nuclear industry and rare earth separation, and is a sharp tool in the metallurgical industry.
What is the application of Tributyl Phosphate TBP in coatings?
Adding Tributyl Phosphate TBP to nitrocellulose lacquer can reduce viscosity, improve leveling, make the paint film smooth without brush marks, and shorten the drying time by 20%. In chlorinated rubber paint, it can enhance adhesion, make the paint film not easy to peel off, and resist salt water immersion for three months without rust. It has good compatibility with pigments, can disperse titanium dioxide during grinding, make the paint color uniform, and not easy to precipitate. It is used in fire-retardant coatings. It can both flame retardant and plasticize, make the coating flexible and improve impact resistance, so it is commonly used for ship and bridge coatings.
What is the difference between the chemical stability of Tributyl Phosphate TBP and TMP?
Tributyl Phosphate TBP is more stable to acid and alkali. After boiling in 10% hydrochloric acid for one hour, the decomposition rate is only 1%. Trimethyl Phosphate TMP has a decomposition rate of 15% under the same conditions, so TBP is more suitable for acidic environments. Under high temperature, TBP starts to decompose at 250 degrees, while TMP decomposes at 220 degrees, so TBP can be used in higher temperature processes. When reacting with metal ions, TBP can form more stable complexes and is more efficient in extracting metals, while TMP has weaker complexing ability, so the two have different application scenarios.
