Triethyl citrate

Triethyl citrate (TEC) is a versatile organic ester compound, primarily used in the following fields:

I. Pharmaceutical and Food Industry

1. Pharmaceutical Excipient and Taste Modifier
   • Improves the bitter and astringent taste of oral tablets/medications, enhancing patient compliance; used in enteric-coated or controlled-release formulations to improve stability and prolonged efficacy.
   • Acts as a capsule plasticizer, increasing flexibility and lubricity while reducing interactions between the drug and capsule material.
2. Food Additive
   • Used as a leavening and shaping agent to enhance the foaming properties of baked goods; functions as an antioxidant to stabilize edible oils (soybean oil, salad oil, etc.); employed as a flavor enhancer in beverages, candies, and other products.
   • Permitted for use in food packaging materials (e.g., PVC cling film), extending the shelf life of meat and vegetables through breathability design.

II. Plasticizer for Polymer Materials

1. Resin and Plastic Processing
   • Replaces phthalate esters (e.g., DOP) as a plasticizer for cellulose resins (nitrocellulose, ethyl cellulose) and vinyl resins (PVC), imparting oil resistance, light resistance, and mildew resistance to products.
   • Particularly suitable for high-safety applications such as food-grade packaging films, soft children's toys, and medical devices (blood bags, catheters).
2. Special Material Applications
   • Used in PVDC cling film, providing excellent barrier properties and heat shrinkability, making it ideal for food packaging like sausages.
   • Serves as an environmentally friendly plasticizing component in adhesives and sealants.

III. Cosmetics and Daily Chemical Products

1. Cosmetic Additive
   • Functions as an emulsifier or stabilizer, inhibiting oil oxidation and odor in formulations such as creams and lotions.
2. Fragrance Industry
   • Used as a fixative for berry-type food flavors, extending the longevity of the fragrance.

IV. Industrial Additives and Others

1. Solvent and Chelating Agent
   • Dissolves resins and cellulose for use in coatings, inks, and adhesive formulations; acts as a chelating agent to improve metal ion stability.
2. Electronics and Precision Manufacturing
   • Used in non-toxic PVC pelletizing and semiconductor packaging materials, providing insulation and processing stability.

⚠️ Performance and Safety

• Low Toxicity: Experiments show no irritation to skin or eyes, with no reported cases of poisoning; complies with food/pharmaceutical contact standards.
• Physical Properties: Density approximately 1.1369 g/cm³, boiling point 294°C (at atmospheric pressure), flash point 155°C, poorly soluble in water.

Note: Safe operating procedures must be followed in industrial applications to avoid long-term and excessive exposure.