Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate → Potassium bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate

Participants

Reaction Steps

The potassium salt of bis(2-ethylhexyl) hydrogen phosphate was made by the direct reaction of potassium hydride with the corresponding acid in heptane. The acid bis(2-ethylhexyl) hydrogen phosphate (Aldrich Chemicals; 64.49 grams or 0.2 moles) was placed in 300 ml of dry heptane and stirred gently. An excess of potassium hydroxide granules was added to the solution and left to stir until no further potassium hydroxide reacted. At completion the reaction solution was decanted and the heptane evaporated to leave the potassium bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate salt as a white waxy solid.

Provenance & Evidence