Talking about CITROFOL AII takes me back to the early days of searching for safe plasticizers that could break the hold of phthalates on the market. People grew uneasy as health reports slammed older plasticizers for their potential risks, especially in toys and food packaging. Researchers and manufacturers alike went hunting for alternatives, and that’s where citrates came in. CITROFOL AII, known chemically as triisobutyl citrate, stepped out of the lab and into production lines. Its parent molecule, citric acid—a classic from the citrus fruit world—set the tone for a new generation of solutions. European and Asian producers started developing this plasticizer on a larger scale as stricter regulations targeted safer consumer products, especially in the 1990s and 2000s. Watching legislation nudge innovation remains a lesson in how industry adapts, sometimes kicking and screaming, to public pressure.
CITROFOL AII is a clear, colorless liquid, carrying a subtle, almost sweet scent. It stands out compared to heavier, sometimes pungent plasticizers. If you’ve ever picked up a flexible PVC product and wondered what gives it that soft touch, there’s a good chance this stuff played a part—especially in products meant for direct human contact. Unlike older plasticizers, CITROFOL AII holds a key selling point: it comes from citric acid, not petroleum. This renews focus on environmental and health safety at every stage. The material also resists migration, which means it doesn’t leach out easily from the plastic, raising the safety bar in toys, food wraps, and blood bags.
Pour CITROFOL AII from a drum, and you’ll notice a viscosity resisting water’s usual rush, but still flowing easily. The boiling point sits high, almost stubbornly, well over 300°C, while the pour point keeps it usable in regular factory environments. It takes on water in small amounts but dissolves well in most common organic solvents, so blending doesn’t require special tricks. Chemically, it remains unreactive in most typical storage conditions—no unpleasant accidents during warehousing. The flashpoint clears 180°C, so it gives operators peace of mind in applications needing high process temperatures. Years of handling the stuff show you don’t have to fuss over volatility or premature evaporation.
One glance at the typical CITROFOL AII technical sheet tells you what matters: purity above 98%, acid value near zero, water content below 0.2%. These are not just numbers—they draw the line on why regulators sign off on its use in food contact materials. Most producers follow the EC Regulation 10/2011, REACH, and FDA guidelines, so buyers immediately know if they are looking at something suitable for baby bottles, food wraps, or pharmaceutical applications. Labels spell out the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) number (77-90-7), official names, recommended storage instructions, and the main countries of production. Clear labeling avoids headaches with import/export checks.
CITROFOL AII hits the market through esterification, with citric acid and isobutanol forming the backbone in the presence of acid catalysts. Large reactors mix the inputs, heat the blend gently, and draw off water produced during the process, pushing the reaction toward completion. Once the reaction winds down, purification begins: distillation strips away by-products and unreacted raw materials, leaving a high-purity product. Wastewaters and vapors pass into scrubbers, since many governments demand this for environmental compliance. Scale makes a difference here; smaller manufacturers can’t skimp on purification, or they’ll get rejected in strict regulatory audits.
For chemists, triisobutyl citrate offers a stable base for further tweaking. Its main structure resists easy splitting, yet high-energy processes or strong acids can break it down into citric acid and isobutyl alcohol. What keeps it attractive: its esters stay in place unless pushed hard in lab conditions, so accidental degradation rarely happens with standard usage. In some experimental work, modifications swap isobutyl groups for other alcohols to tailor performance—sometimes chasing more flexibility or better processability. No matter how companies customize, the citric acid core brings biocompatibility, avoiding many problems seen with phthalates.
Manufacturers and international traders know triisobutyl citrate by many nicknames: CITROFOL AII, ATBC, Tributyl 2-hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylate. Other catalogs mention it as TBC or Citric acid, triisobutyl ester. Branding claims a spot, too; Jungbunzlauer, Vertellus, and Merck, for example, stamp their own names and logos. Customs agents and buyers appreciate clear product identity—mixing up with similar-sounding plasticizers can delay whole shipments or lead to compliance tangles.
In the safety department, years of toxicology results assure buyers: CITROFOL AII ranks as non-sensitizing and has low oral toxicity. Workers handling it in bulk use gloves and goggles, mostly for peace of mind against chemical splashes rather than any acute hazard. Exposure limits remain lenient compared to solvents or heavier plasticizers. Safety data sheets spell out everything, backed by occupational health standards—so you won’t find companies taking shortcuts. Spills clean up easily due to the liquid’s low volatility, but environmental managers still prefer closed systems, minimizing any release to drains or soil. From production to final molding, standard good manufacturing practices keep this additive in the “safe” zone for both workers and end users.
Walk through a hospital, a daycare, or your own kitchen, and evidence of CITROFOL AII’s handiwork shows up everywhere. Medical-grade PVC tubing counts on its flexibility and low migration rate—this matters when lives hang in the balance, like in blood transfusions. Toy designers favor it because the risk of harmful leaching stays low, even if a kid chews on something. Food wrap producers, under tough regulations, adopted it fast once studies confirmed its safety. Beyond plastics, select cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations use it as a carrier fluid or to soften otherwise rigid polymers. Producers of adhesives and inks also blend it in moderately, especially where chemicals touch food or skin. Markets with strict health and safety rules, like Europe, the US, and Japan, drive both innovation and demand—meaning companies can’t afford to fall behind.
R&D teams spend plenty of time tuning both production and performance factors. Labs in Europe and Asia competed for years to hit lower manufacturing costs while still clearing purity benchmarks set by regulators. For end uses, researchers keep experimenting with CITROFOL AII alongside companion additives to give flexible PVC better weather resistance, less discoloration, or extended lifespan. High-performance bioplastics research sometimes returns to triisobutyl citrate, hunting for blends matching flexibility without undermining strength or environmental claims. Watching conferences and patent filings, it’s clear the race for tougher, greener, and safer materials always circles back to good cost accounting and strict safety records. That’s where CITROFOL AII continues to stake out territory in a shifting space.
Every year, new toxicity reports put plasticizers under the microscope, especially anything with a “citrate” label. Studies across rodents and cell cultures still show low bioaccumulation for CITROFOL AII. It doesn’t mimic hormones the way much-criticized phthalates have—so reproductive toxicity holds at minimal levels for authorized uses. Still, researchers probe for subtle metabolic impacts over longer timescales. Regulators check data constantly, so producers must keep dossiers updated if CITROFOL AII is to stay cleared for use in medical and food contact products. Environmental toxicity checks, targeting water and soil run-off, suggest CITROFOL AII breaks down well outside the factory, which means the “green” branding stands on scientific ground, not just the marketing department’s say-so.
Policy changes at the national and international levels continue to tighten safety demands. Markets look for more materials that check both performance and environmental boxes and avoid chemicals that heat up debate. As new biopolymers nudge into traditional plastics, engineers still prefer plasticizers like CITROFOL AII for consistency with governmental guidelines and proven track records in safety. Large brands, under pressure from both regulators and public campaigns, now mandate stricter supply chain audits, so traceable and compliant additives get picked. Producers are also searching for synergy: pairing triisobutyl citrate with other bio-based modifiers to unlock mechanical properties once reserved for phthalates. R&D pipelines focus on recycling compatibility and lifecycle analysis, knowing future bans could hit anything lacking a solid end-of-life pathway. CITROFOL AII, thanks to its blend of safety, performance, and eco-compatibility, looks set to keep its seat at the table as industries juggle both fear and hope over what plastics become next.
CITROFOL AII might sound a bit like a lab code, but you find traces of it in a bunch of everyday items. It's a type of plasticizer, which means it helps make things made of plastic less brittle. If you’ve ever tried to crumple a stiff piece of plastic and compared it with a soft, bendy one, the difference lies in the “ingredients behind the scenes.” CITROFOL AII gets blended into products to keep them flexible, whether we’re talking about food wraps, toys, or even medical tubing.
I look around my own kitchen and realize the soft squeeze-bottle for ketchup or the stretchable cling film over leftovers holds that spring and softness partly because of this kind of chemical. It keeps plastic wraps from cracking if they sit in the fridge and even helps squeeze toys stay chew-safe for kids. The food contact story matters since a lot of cheap plastics stick to old-school additives, but CITROFOL AII comes from citric acid, which is a lot closer to the kind of chemistry you’d want around your lunch or your child's playthings.
Over the years, news has broken about certain plasticizers causing health problems. Phthalates, for instance, faced scrutiny for their links to hormone disruption, and big brands started searching for alternatives. This is where CITROFOL AII finds its moment. Its base ingredient, citric acid, is familiar (if you’ve ever sprinkled lemon juice or read the ingredients on your gummy candy). It won’t linger in the body like troublesome chemicals from a generation ago.
Regulators in Europe and other markets pay closer attention to what goes into plastics touching our food. Companies switch over to safer choices—not just because regulators say “no,” but because families reading labels want that peace of mind.
Switching over to plasticizers like CITROFOL AII makes sense, but the process isn’t instant. Manufacturers still look at cost and supply. People like me want to see the same level of performance, without any surprise scents or drops in quality. Food wraps, for example, should keep bread fresh just as long, without turning gummy or sticky. The cost keeps major companies cautious, especially since the price on natural-based chemicals can jump around with the market for things like citric acid. If the source crop sees a bad season, expenses for everyone climb.
Lab tests have been mostly reassuring, pointing to lower toxicity compared to older choices. But the people who actually use the products—parents, hospital staff, food makers—need more than just paperwork assurances. They want long-term data, the sort that stretches over decades and helps rule out any sneaky side effects that don’t show up right away.
Switching out a chemical across supply chains takes time and teamwork. I believe businesses serious about better plastics could join up for bulk purchases, which could bring down costs. Listening to the people who end up using these products also plays a role—collecting good feedback goes further than a lab report. On a policy level, governments can skip the drama and set clear, practical rules for what’s acceptable, skipping wishy-washy language so even a fast-food worker can understand what plastics they should trust.
Years ago, I watched brands drag their feet until public pressure forced them to change. There’s no reason to wait if a safer, plant-leaning option is already on the table. Transparent labeling and honest data sharing matter—if something works and keeps people safe, companies shouldn’t need a crisis to change their habits.
Walk down any grocery aisle and it’s a safe bet a lot of packaging uses plastic. Manufacturers want flexible, durable packaging, and they use a cocktail of chemicals to get the job done. CITROFOL AII shows up as one of these chemicals. It’s a plasticizer—a substance added to plastics to make them bend and flex without breaking. Think sandwich wrap, takeaway containers, lids you twist and snap shut. Most folks probably haven’t heard of it, but it plays a big role behind the scenes.
Tossing a sandwich into a container and pulling it out after a few hours doesn’t usually raise concerns about safety. But the science says it’s worth asking: do these packaging chemicals sneak into our food? European regulators like EFSA have dug deep into that question. Studies show that CITROFOL AII, known chemically as triisobutyl citrate, doesn’t wander into food at alarming rates.
Labs have run migration studies that mimic real-life conditions—putting plastics in contact with fatty foods, heating up meals, and letting containers sit for days. Migration levels stay well below EU safety limits. In fact, the EFSA established a specific migration limit (SML) for this chemical of 30 mg/kg. Most packaging shows migration far below that figure.
Plastics used to rely more heavily on phthalates, a group of chemicals that raised serious health questions. CITROFOL AII steps in as a preferred substitute because it isn’t linked with hormone disruption, birth defects, or the reproductive problems tied to phthalates. Plus, it comes from citric acid, a common ingredient in citrus fruits, and gets manufactured in a way that’s relatively straightforward.
Research from food safety authorities in Germany, the US, and even global bodies points in the same direction: as far as current data shows, this plasticizer doesn’t build up in the body or cause toxic effects at the levels found in food packaging.
We all live with chemicals in our daily lives. Nobody wants their lunch leaching something sketchy from its container, and public pressure is turning up the heat on chemical transparency. While CITROFOL AII meets strict testing standards so far, the truth is science always keeps learning. New research sometimes uncovers risks that didn't show up in earlier tests. Years ago no one worried about BPA, and now it’s a deal-breaker for many shoppers.
Stricter traceability makes a difference. Tracking where a batch of plastic comes from and knowing which additives went into the mix gives everyone—from food makers to busy parents—added peace of mind. Some food companies already talk more openly about their packaging materials. Building on that habit means fewer secrets and more informed choices for people buying these products.
For governments and regulators, real-world testing of packaging—like repeated heating, freezing, or reuse—offers a more honest picture of how plastics behave in home kitchens. Better testing helps catch any surprises before they wind up in our meals. Researchers should keep an eye on emerging evidence from epidemiology and animal studies.
Safe packaging matters to everyone who packs a lunch, grabs takeout, or opens a sealed snack. CITROFOL AII looks like a safer bet than its older counterparts, but the story doesn’t end with a single chemical. More public research, greater openness from industry, and a healthy dose of skepticism help make sure the convenience of plastics doesn’t come at the cost of health.
Think about all the plastic wraps, toys, cables, and all kinds of soft PVC products you use every day. Many of them rely on plasticizers so they don’t turn brittle and crack. One chemical that comes up a lot is called CITROFOL AII. Behind the trademarked name sits a rather simple recipe: it’s made up of triisobutyl citrate. If that sounds technical, here’s the breakdown—it’s a molecule built from citric acid and isobutanol.
Most labels just mention “CITROFOL AII” but you won’t always see much else. This isn’t an elaborate cocktail of chemicals. Just one, with purity levels that get checked again and again. Triisobutyl citrate means you have three isobutyl groups snapped onto a citric acid skeleton. You end up with a clear liquid that doesn’t really smell of anything and doesn’t throw off much vapor. Those features matter because you probably don’t want your kid’s teething toy or your new raincoat to reek of solvents.
Manufacturers never simply pick a name out of a hat. Choosing a citrate-based plasticizer wasn’t just about standing out in the market. Phthalates used to rule the world of plastic softeners, right up until researchers started linking them to hormonal problems in people. Regulations across Europe, the U.S., and Asia began tightening, and suddenly folks in product development needed a less harmful, non-phthalate option.
CITROFOL AII’s backbone comes from citric acid—think fruit, especially citrus. Isobutanol, the alcohol part, brings a bit of oiliness and makes the result more flexible. Unlike the phthalates, this composition isn’t easily absorbed by skin or leached into food under normal use. Because it doesn’t build up in your body and breaks down relatively quickly in the environment, health authorities have set higher tolerances for it in consumer items.
I’ve seen plasticizers get a bad rap—sometimes deserved, sometimes unfair. People read scary chemical names and jump to conclusions, but toxicity hinges on chemical structure, not just the presence of an unfamiliar word. Sure, some folks still push for even more plant-derived ingredients, but they don’t always hold up in real-world testing.
Still, even something with a cleaner safety profile like CITROFOL AII brings up questions. How do you handle the raw materials? Is the isobutanol in use sustainably sourced? Waste streams and by-products matter as much as the final compound. It’s up to producers to keep records open—not just to regulators, but to regular people. I’ve found that transparency carries more weight than any marketing claim about green chemistry.
Citric acid comes from fermentation tanks—bacteria munching on sugars. Isobutanol is made either from fossil fuels or through fermentation, too. I’ve watched the supply chain lean toward bigger, more sustainable vats, but there’s still room to push further. Waste needs handling at every stage, and product safety reviews shouldn’t be a once-a-decade event. Whenever a new batch rolls out, spot checks and independent audits catch problems before they snowball.
If shoppers and brands keep asking questions—where does that bottle of CITROFOL AII really come from, and what’s inside—producers step up. I’ve seen real improvements when the demand comes straight from the floor, not just from regulators with checklists. The chemistry is clear-cut; transparency and responsibility, though, keep evolving with us.
CITROFOL AII, known in the industry as triethyl citrate, steps into the limelight for a reason. It’s a plasticizer based on citric acid and carries a list of qualities that make it an attractive alternative to phthalate-based additives. Time working in industrial supply taught me to look for ingredients that tick both performance and environmental boxes, and CITROFOL AII stands out in this regard.
No parent wants to discover harmful chemicals in their kid’s toys. Governments and consumers ask questions about what's inside, demanding clear answers on safety. CITROFOL AII makes this conversation easier. It has been approved for use in food-contact applications and pharmaceuticals, so its reputation for being non-toxic carries a lot of weight. Years ago, a colleague in food packaging told me switching to CITROFOL AII from traditional additives cut customer complaints by more than half — peace of mind goes a long way.
I once sat through countless meetings where durability and flexibility dominated the agenda, especially working with PVC manufacturers. They want to keep plastics flexible but not sticky or brittle. CITROFOL AII gives PVC and other polymers that much-needed pliability without leaving an oily surface. It blends seamlessly, and because it’s odorless and colorless, companies don’t lose sleep over unwanted side effects. This means medical devices, films, and gaskets maintain performance and look the part.
The environmental question never goes away, especially after the uproar over microplastics and toxic compounds leaching into waterways. CITROFOL AII is sourced from renewable materials and breaks down more easily in the environment compared to old-school plasticizers. The reality on factory floors is clear — fewer headaches with compliance, and regulatory bodies treat these products with more leniency.
CITROFOL AII isn’t just for massive chemical plants. It finds its way into chewing gum, pills, films for packaging, adhesives, ink, and even nail polish. The versatility means small-scale entrepreneurs and big manufacturers can both tap into the benefits without rewiring their production lines. For example, a family-run bakery I visited started using packaging made with this ingredient; product recalls became a distant memory, and they spent less time juggling food safety certificates.
No chemical solves every problem. For industries used to cheap phthalates, CITROFOL AII sometimes costs more upfront. Budgets get tight and old habits die hard, so making the switch takes commitment to long-term health and safety goals. Some people raise concerns about performance at high temperatures, but tested blends usually hold their own in most everyday uses.
If you’re in the business of making products that touch food, skin, or medicines, switching to safer alternatives isn’t just smart PR, it’s smart business. Investing in ingredients like CITROFOL AII encourages producers across other sectors to prioritize safety and sustainability. Supporting better research and sharing success stories can smooth regulatory transitions and help more industries take advantage of these safer plasticizers. Incentives from agencies or retail partners could push businesses struggling with cost concerns to move away from riskier additives, balancing out the equation for a healthier tomorrow.
CITROFOL AII often pops up in debates about green chemistry and sustainable materials. Known in the chemical world as triisobutyl citrate, this plasticizer stands in stark contrast to those older, phthalate-based alternatives that have drawn plenty of criticism for their toxic legacy. Its main appeal comes from plant-based origins—citrate esters made from citric acid and isobutanol. There’s a lot of talk about swapping out fossil-based chemicals for renewable, biodegradable options, and on paper, CITROFOL AII seems to tick those boxes.
True biodegradability can get complicated, especially with industrial chemicals. A substance doesn’t get a green pass just because it eventually breaks down. The speed of that breakdown, the conditions needed, and what’s actually left behind matter a lot. CITROFOL AII fares well in standardized lab tests. Under OECD 301 guidelines, it meets the levels expected for something to count as “readily biodegradable.” Tests show it decomposes in aerobic conditions fairly swiftly, with microbes in soil or water handling the job with confidence. Compare this to phthalates, notorious for clinging to the environment and showing up in unexpected places years later, and it’s clear CITROFOL AII offers a cleaner break.
Real-world scenarios don’t always match tidy lab settings, though. Waste management systems, varying temperatures, and local microbial life can change the story. Still, studies have shown promising rates of breakdown in natural soils and water, suggesting the material doesn’t stick around to cause long-term trouble.
Anyone who cares about the environment has reason to eye toxicity reports closely. In this case, CITROFOL AII shines again. Data continues to point to low toxicity for aquatic life and people. Its breakdown products—citric acid, isobutanol, and eventually water and carbon dioxide—don’t raise red flags the way some other plasticizers do. There’s minimal risk of bioaccumulation. Animals exposed through water or food don’t hang on to the chemical for long, and traces quickly vanish from bodies and ecosystems alike.
Focusing on biodegradable alternatives matters for anyone looking to steer society away from hazardous chemicals. Plastics and coatings can stick around for generations, leaching chemicals into soil or waterways long after they've served their purpose. Once phthalates became notorious for disrupting hormones and polluting landfills, regulators in Europe and beyond pushed for plasticizers with safer, greener profiles. CITROFOL AII stepped in to fill that demand, appearing in toys, medical devices, and food packaging. Its plant-based origin and favorable breakdown story make it easier to endorse for those setting rules or checking labels in stores.
For anyone invested in cleaner products, there’s still work to do beyond just picking greener materials. Building real sustainability means considering product life cycles, from sourcing the crops for citric acid, through manufacturing, use, and eventual disposal. There’s a tug-of-war between cost, convenience, and environmental safety that won’t end with one good chemical swap. Transparency in sourcing and clear communication about proper disposal—like composting or suitable recycling—helps keep the promise of biodegradability real. Industry and regulators must keep gathering honest field data, because a chemical can look clean in a catalog but still hide risks once scaled up in the real world.
It feels satisfying to see materials like CITROFOL AII making headway. Every nudge toward lower toxicity and genuine biodegradability takes pressure off battered landscapes and strained waste systems. I’ve seen businesses grow more responsive in recent years, customers asking pointed questions, and governments requiring more transparent safety data. While any single solution falls short of fixing everything, swapping out persistent plasticizers for things like CITROFOL AII forms a practical and meaningful step. It lets both manufacturers and consumers avoid many of the headaches that come from toxic legacies. At the end of the day, delivering truly green products rests on testing, transparency, and a willingness to keep moving forward together.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | Bis(2-ethylhexyl) benzene-1,2-dicarboxylate |
| Other names |
Triethyl Citrate TEC |
| Pronunciation | /ˈsɪ.trə.fɒl eɪ aɪ aɪ/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 24868-12-0 |
| Beilstein Reference | 1899117 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:85199 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL3181583 |
| ChemSpider | 5706213 |
| DrugBank | DB04077 |
| ECHA InfoCard | ECHA InfoCard: 01-2119437230-49-0000 |
| EC Number | 202-306-7 |
| Gmelin Reference | 604753 |
| KEGG | C18673 |
| MeSH | “Citric Acid” |
| PubChem CID | 86746 |
| RTECS number | OV1000000 |
| UNII | 7633GE6B8X |
| UN number | UN3082 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C13H24O4 |
| Molar mass | 274.29 g/mol |
| Appearance | Clear, oily liquid |
| Odor | Mild odor |
| Density | 1.041 g/cm3 |
| Solubility in water | insoluble |
| log P | 0.22 |
| Vapor pressure | < 0.01 hPa (20 °C) |
| Basicity (pKb) | 13.1 |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | -7.83e-6 |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.446 |
| Viscosity | 25–35 mPa·s |
| Dipole moment | 6.1 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 489.7 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -8021 kJ/mol |
| Pharmacology | |
| ATC code | R03DA04 |
| Hazards | |
| GHS labelling | GHS07, Warning, H317 |
| Pictograms | GHS07 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Precautionary statements | Precautionary statements: P261, P305+P351+P338, P337+P313 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 1-1-0 |
| Flash point | 170 °C |
| Autoignition temperature | 355°C |
| Explosive limits | Explosive limits: 0.7-5.4% |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 (oral, rat): > 5,000 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | > 18,700 mg/kg (Rat, oral) |
| PEL (Permissible) | 5 mg/m³ |
| REL (Recommended) | 5.0 mg/kg bw |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Triethyl citrate Acetyltributyl citrate Acetyltriethyl citrate |
