Tricresyl phosphate

<p>Tricresyl phosphate (TCP), is a mixture of three isomeric <a href="/facts/Organophosphate/u4U9GS4z">organophosphate</a> compounds most notably used as a <a href="/facts/Flame_retardant/0dpdUCYh">flame retardant</a>. Other uses include as a <a href="/facts/Plasticizer/RjzuplRY">plasticizer</a> in manufacturing for <a href="/facts/Lacquer/83C6H1IW">lacquers</a> and <a href="/facts/Varnish/sK905uXj">varnishes</a> and vinyl plastics and as an <a href="/facts/Antiwear_additive/1EKXSKWu">antiwear additive</a> in lubricants. Pure tricresyl phosphate is a colourless, viscous liquid, although commercial samples are typically yellow. It is virtually insoluble in water, but easily soluble in organic solvents like <a href="/facts/Toluene/Pzdt8dwD">toluene</a>, <a href="/facts/Hexane/JxPecNPt">hexane</a>, and <a href="/facts/Diethyl_ether/Ep20vEdj">diethyl ether</a> among others. It was synthesized by <a href="/facts/Alexander_William_Williamson/TIITFGQP">Alexander Williamson</a> in 1854 upon reacting <a href="/facts/Phosphorus_pentachloride/oGLG4kDg">phosphorus pentachloride</a> with <a href="/facts/Cresol/dQ1s1qMC">cresol</a> (a mixture of para-, ortho-, and meta- isomers of methylphenol), though today's manufacturers can prepare TCP by mixing cresol with <a href="/facts/Phosphoryl_chloride/fwbrqPWI">phosphorus oxychloride</a> or <a href="/facts/Phosphoric_acid/l6NbwyCv">phosphoric acid</a> as well. TCP, especially the all-ortho isomer, is the causative agent in a number of acute poisonings. Its chronic toxicity is also of concern. The ortho-isomer is rarely used on its own outside of laboratory studies that require isomeric purity, due to its extremely toxic nature, and is generally excluded from commercial products where TCP is involved.
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Tricresyl phosphate open-in-new

Tricresyl phosphate