Diethyl phthalate
![Skeletal formula of diethyl phthalate](/Images/godic/202501/11/Diethyl_phthalate_200.svg5706.png")
![Ball-and-stick model of the diethyl phthalate molecule](/Images/godic/202501/11/Diethyl_phthalate_3D_ball5706.png")
![](/Images/godic/202501/11/Synthesis-DEP5706.png")
Diethyl phthalate (DEP) is a phthalate ester, namely the diethyl ester of phthalic acid. It is a clear substance that is liquid at room temperature and is only slightly denser than liquid water. It has a faint, disagreeable odor and can be transferred from the plastics that contain it. When burned, DEP produces toxic gases.