Dialkyl phthalate ester plasticizer used to impart softness and flexiblilty to PVC products. Prepn: P. J. Garner, G. Watson, US 2508911 (1950 to Shell). Effect on dynamic mechanical properties: D. L. Hertz, Jr., Elastomerics 116, 20 (1984); interaction with PVC polymer: B. Garnaik, S. Sivaram, Macromolecules 29, 185 (1996). HPLC determn in PVC packaging: M. F. Aignasse et al., Int. J. Pharm. 113, 241 (1995). GC/MS determn in toys: R. Stringer et al., Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. Int. 7, 27 (2000). Evaluation of carcinogenic risk: J. Doull et al., Regul. Toxicol. Pharmacol. 29, 327 (1999); of health effects: M. Fay et al., Toxicol. Ind. Health 15, 651 (1999). Review: L. G. Krauskopf, Plast. Compd. 6, 28-38 (1983). Review of environmental fate: C. A. Staples et al., Chemosphere 35, 667-749 (1997); of aquatic toxicity: idem et al., Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 16, 875 (1997); of toxicology and human exposure: Toxicological Profile for Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (PB2003-100138, 2002) 337 pp.