Triethyl citrate

• BPTriethyl Citrate
• Ph. Eur.Triethyl Citrate
• USP–NFTriethyl Citrate

TEC; Citroflex 2; ethyl citrate; citric acid triethyl ester; triethylis citras; E1505

Triethyl 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylate · [77-93-0]

UNII 8Z96QXD6UM · PubChem CID 6506

C12H20O7 · 276.29

Plasticiser

Typical concentrations: — · Dosage forms: Solid

One of the most widely used plasticisers for aqueous and organic film coatings, including enteric and sustained-release coats based on methacrylic acid copolymers, ethylcellulose, hypromellose acetate succinate and cellulose acetate phthalate, typically at about 10–30% w/w of the polymer. It is also used as a solvent and fixative for flavours and as a food additive.

A clear, colourless, practically odourless, slightly viscous oily liquid with a bitter taste. It is the triethyl ester of citric acid.

Density

about 1.14 g/cm³ at 25 °C

Boiling point

about 294 °C

Refractive index

about 1.44 (n D 20)

Solubility

soluble in water (much more so than tributyl citrate); miscible with ethanol, acetone and propan-2-ol

Physical state

clear, colourless, odourless, oily liquid with a bitter taste

Stable. Store in a well-closed container in a cool, dry place.

Incompatible with strong alkalis and strong oxidising agents.

Prepared by esterifying citric acid with ethanol in the presence of an acid catalyst, followed by purification.

Used in oral pharmaceutical products, cosmetics and foods and generally regarded as of low toxicity. It is hydrolysed in the body to citric acid and ethanol. It may cause mild irritation of the eyes and skin.

Observe normal precautions for the quantity handled. Eye protection and gloves are recommended.

GRAS listed. Accepted as a food additive in Europe (E1505). Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredient Database (oral capsules, suspensions and tablets) and in non-parenteral medicines licensed in Europe.

Acetyltributyl citrate; acetyltriethyl citrate; triacetin; tributyl citrate.

When added to aqueous latex or pseudolatex dispersions, triethyl citrate needs a period of stirring (often an hour or more) to partition into the polymer particles. Its partial water solubility means some may leach out of the film in aqueous media, and its slight volatility can lead to losses during curing at high temperatures.