Phthalic Anhydride

Phthalic anhydride is an important chemical intermediate in the plastics industry from which are derived numerous phthalate esters that function as plasticizers in synthetic resins. Phthalic anhydride itself is used as a monomer for synthetic resins such as glyptal, the alkyd resins, and the polyester resins.

Phthalic anhydride is also used as a precursor of anthraquinone, phthalein, rhodamine, phthalocyanine, fluorescein, and xanthene dyes.

Phthalic anhydride is used in the synthesis of primary amines, the agricultural fungicide phaltan, and thalidomide. Other reactions with phthalic anhydride yield phenolphthalein, benzoic acid, phthalylsulfathiazole (an intestinal antimicrobial agent), and orthophthalic acid.

Chemical Properties
Phthalic Anhydride is moderately flammable, white solid (flake) or a clear, colorless, mobile liquid (molten) Characteristic, acrid, choking odor.

Chemical Properties
Phthalic anhydride is very slightly soluble in H2O, soluble in alcohol, and slightly soluble in ether.

Physical properties
Colorless to pale cream crystals with a characteristic, choking odor. Moisture sensitive. Odor threshold concentration is 53 ppb (quoted, Amoore and Hautala, 1983).

Uses
The compound is a high-tonnage chemical and is widely used in a variety of industrial organic syntheses.

Uses
Phthalic anhydride is used in the manufacture of unsaturated polyesters and as a curing agent for epoxy resins. When used as a pigment, it can be responsible for sensitization in ceramic workers.

Uses
Phthalic Anhydride is an organic compound and the anhydride of phthalic acid (P384480). Phthalic Anhydride is an important industrial chemical commonly used in large-scale production of plasticizers f or plastics. Recent research have also evaluated Phthalic Anhydride as potential antibacterial agent.
manufacture of phthaleins, phthalates, benzoic acid, synthetic indigo, artificial resins (glyptal).

Intermediate for Plastizers, Paints, Dyes and Pigments, Polyester Resins.