Tags: Chemical Compound, Chemical Substance.
Diethyl phthalate (DEP) is a phthalate ester namely the diethyl ester of phthalic acid. It is a clear substance that is liquid at room temperature and is only slightly more dense than liquid water. It has a faint disagreeable odor and can be transferred from the plastics that contain it. When burned DEP produces toxic gases.Since the compound is a suitable solvent for many organic molecules it is often used to bind cosmetics and fragrances.
