Phosphate esters in this catalogue are acid phosphates made from phosphorus pentoxide on fatty alcohols, ethoxylated alcohols, alkyl phenol ethoxylates and selected specialty alcohols. They are anionic or acid-form surfactants used as emulsifiers, anti-static agents, corrosion-inhibitor intermediates, hydrotropes and polymerisation surfactants.
What phosphate esters are
Phosphate esters in this catalogue are acid phosphates made from phosphorus pentoxide on fatty alcohols, ethoxylated alcohols, alkyl phenol ethoxylates and selected specialty alcohols. They are anionic or acid-form surfactants used as emulsifiers, anti-static agents, corrosion-inhibitor intermediates, hydrotropes and polymerisation surfactants. Dyna Glycols manufactures them to agreed acid number, pH (as-is or as salt), colour and active content.
An alcohol phosphate is not the same as an ethoxylated alcohol phosphate of similar carbon number. EO moles change water solubility and electrolyte tolerance. State both the hydrophobe and whether it is ethoxylated.
How Dyna Glycols manufactures phosphate esters
The named alcohol or ethoxylate is phosphated with P2O5 to the mono/di phosphate ratio on the TDS, then optionally converted to a salt. QA follows acid number, water, colour and appearance. Custom hydrophobes and ethoxylate phosphates are quoted after the starter and annual volume.
Allyl alcohol ethoxylate phosphates and hydroxyethyl methacrylate phosphate are specialty grades for polymerisable or coatings systems. They are specified separately from detergent phosphates.
Typical grades in this range
Name the alcohol or ethoxylate. Typical catalogue phosphates are listed below.
- Butanol phosphate; 2-ethylhexanol (octanol) phosphate and 2-ethylhexanol ethoxylate phosphate
- Lauryl, tridecyl, cetyl and oleyl alcohol phosphates and ethoxylate phosphates
- Nonyl phenol, styrenated phenol and phenol ethoxylate phosphates
- Allyl alcohol ethoxylate phosphates; hydroxyethyl methacrylate phosphate
- Other fatty alcohol and ethoxylate phosphates to order
Where phosphate esters are used
Emulsion polymerisation uses ethoxylated alcohol or alkyl phenol phosphates as anionic stabilisers, often with a non-ionic partner. Metal working, textile antistats and agro EC systems use alcohol phosphates as emulsifiers and corrosion-adjacent surfactants.
Coatings and adhesives use selected phosphates as pigment wetting or as polymerisable phosphate esters. Personal-care use is limited and must be named on the enquiry with INCI and residual-acid limits.
APEO-containing phenol ethoxylate phosphates remain available where specified. APEO-free alcohol ethoxylate phosphates are the substitute path — not assumed drop-in copies.
How to specify phosphate esters
Send the hydrophobe, EO moles if ethoxylated, acid number, whether the product is free acid or a named salt, colour and the application (polymerisation, agro, metal, textile). Share monomer system if used as a latex surfactant.
For HEMA phosphate or allyl ethoxylate phosphate, attach the polymerisation brief (radical vs other) and residual-monomer limits.
Quality, documents and supply
Lots are released against acid number, water, colour, appearance and the salt form if converted. SDS and COA follow verification. Corrosion and emulsification must be checked in the customer oil or latex.
Phosphate esters are acidic in free-acid form. Use compatible metals and follow the SDS for handling and PPE.
Practical notes on phosphate esters
Mono vs di phosphate ratio changes hydrophilicity and lime-soap dispersion. Freeze the ratio on the order, not only the alcohol name.
Neutralise only with the base named on the TDS if the grade is sold as a salt. A customer-side caustic conversion changes pH and viscosity.
Related pages: fatty alcohol ethoxylates, alkyl phenol ethoxylates, sulphates and sulfonates, adhesive chemicals, agro chemicals. Sample with the non-ionic partner if the latex uses a mixed surfactant system.
High-EO phosphates are more water-soluble and milder on electrolyte. Low-EO and unethoxylated alcohol phosphates sit in oil.
Do not confuse these esters with phosphate-free claims on detergents. This family is phosphate chemistry by design.
English is the source language for acid-number and APEO claims.
Ordering and evaluating phosphate esters
Send the application, the analytical window and the pack size when you request a laboratory sample of phosphate esters. SDS, TDS and COA follow a short company check. Handle and store the grade as the SDS describes.
Next step
Need a specification for this chemistry?
Tell us the substrate, EO/PO moles and the application. We will confirm a catalogue grade or a custom batch.