CITROFOL BI stands as a specialty plasticizer based on citric acid chemistry, carrying the IUPAC name Tributyl O-acetylcitrate. In the world of plastic additives, it belongs to a family that aims to give flexibility without leaning on controversial chemicals. The CAS number is 77-90-7, and for trade, the HS Code often falls under 291815, relating to carboxylic acid derivatives. This substance comes out of the combination between citric acid and butanol, making it clear that it draws directly from biosourced, renewable origins. The molecular formula, C16H26O7, paints the picture of a moderately complex but manageable molecule. Each component shapes the feel and function in everyday use, from child toys to food packaging and even medical devices.
Most users encounter CITROFOL BI as a colorless, oily liquid with a faint, sweet scent. Its density sits close to 1.05 grams per cubic centimeter at room temperature. You will not find it as flakes, crystals, pearls, or powders under normal handling—the liquid state dominates the market since it fits right into plasticizing applications. This characteristic makes pouring, blending, and dissolving straightforward, without the dust or granules you might see in some raw materials. Its refractive index, sitting around 1.448, hints at a relatively high purity and close-packed molecular structure. The substance brings a boiling point above 400°C and a slight solubility in water. These features tell buyers what to expect during mixing, storage, and transport.
With a backbone built on citrate, CITROFOL BI has a branched molecular structure. This physical layout means good plasticizing performance because the molecule cannot easily pack beside others, breaking up rigid networks in polymers. Here, citrate esters have secured a spot thanks to the safer reputation versus phthalates. Toxicology reports suggest a low rate of bioaccumulation in humans and animals, but any chemical at this scale calls for sensible handling. Flammability creeps in only at relatively high temperatures, and the flashpoint usually sits above 200°C, so it won’t go up in flames under ordinary factory conditions. The real watch-out lies in improper use—once heated beyond given limits, decomposition can release acetic acid and butanol fumes, where good ventilation becomes mandatory. Treating CITROFOL BI as a safe material ignores the real possibility of workplace accidents or spills, so every label note and safety sheet matters.
The production journey for CITROFOL BI starts with citric acid—often derived from fermentation of corn or sugar byproducts—joined by butanol and acetic anhydride. In my experience walking plant floors, these raw ingredients show up stored outside in drums or tanks, with shipping documents attached for traceability. The process brings together renewable feedstocks but lands on a product that needs respect: eyes and hands should stay away, gloves should meet chemical resistance standards, and goggles beat glasses every time. While the main market for CITROFOL BI orbits flexible PVC, including cables, flooring, and soft toys, its food-contact safety certifications invite use in cling films and bottling. Being free from phthalate, CITROFOL BI soothes regulatory concerns—Europe has led the global mood for limiting phthalates, so this material’s appeal has grown stronger in the past decade.
No one should dismiss CITROFOL BI as harmless just because it comes from plant-based sources. REACH and FDA registrations prove industry cares enough about safety to dig deep into toxicological detail. This substance rarely triggers acute health effects under normal exposure, but long-term inhalation or skin contact puts even well-designed chemical in a hazardous category. CITROFOL BI stands less harmful than many phthalates, yet certain aquatic species face toxicity at high concentrations—users at industrial scale must prevent runoff to local waterways. Waste streams need careful management, with incineration preferred to prevent environmental persistence. In storage, CITROFOL BI likes a cool, dry spot, away from strong acids and oxidizers, and every site should keep spill response kits ready. Reviewing every year’s material safety data sheet remains good practice.
Each supplier announces a specification sheet laying out appearance (clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid), purity (typically above 99 percent), water content (well below 0.2 percent), acid number, saponification value, and refractive index. Technicians I’ve worked alongside trust these numbers because the difference between a pass and a fail batch can mean thousands lost on rework in large-scale production. Density, while precise, matters less to lab workers than assurance of purity, but it tells transport managers how to plan pumping and piping correctly. Viscosity, often in the range of several hundred millipascal-seconds at 20°C, enables proper dosing through automated lines. None of these specs matter without robust packaging—usually in steel drums or bulk tanks, always with airtight seals. This packaging protects against contamination and evaporation, since even a moderate loss of material can cause headaches downstream.
Physical and chemical properties of CITROFOL BI draw boundaries and set up opportunities. It brings potential for lowering plasticizer-related health risks in toys and medical gear—especially as more brands and countries ban phthalate use. Manufacturers have the chance to push for closed-loop recycling and reclaiming schemes, using CITROFOL BI’s performance to chase safer, less polluting outcomes. Workers remain on the front lines, making daily choices about gloves, filters, and ventilation when handling this chemical, just as procurement officers make the decisions about raw material sourcing, certification, and record-keeping. Every person in the chain, from warehouse to health and safety officer, helps bend the curve toward responsible use. Regulatory action sometimes gets pushback, yet safer chemistries like CITROFOL BI show that having your cake and eating it too—flexibility without toxicity—can happen when priorities align. The chemistry of this product sets the stage, but process, vigilance, and the willingness to update standards keep people and the environment out of the harm's path.
