Triethyl citrate

Triethyl citrate is an ester that is derived from citric acid. It is commonly used as a food additive and as a plasticizer in the manufacturing of pharmaceutical coatings and packaging films.

Chemical Structure

Triethyl citrate has the chemical formula C12H20O7. It is a colorless and odorless liquid that is soluble in most organic solvents but only slightly soluble in water. The compound is made up of three ethyl groups attached to the three carboxyl groups of citric acid.

Production

Triethyl citrate is produced by esterification of citric acid with ethanol in the presence of a catalytic amount of sulfuric acid. The reaction is carried out under reflux conditions until completion. The product is then purified by distillation.

Uses

Triethyl citrate has a wide range of uses in various industries.

Food Industry

In the food industry, it is used as a flavor enhancer and a food additive. It is recognized as safe by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is included in the FDA's list of substances that can be used in food with no limitations other than good manufacturing practices.

Pharmaceutical Industry

In the pharmaceutical industry, triethyl citrate is used as a plasticizer in the production of pharmaceutical coatings and packaging films. It is also used as a solubilizer in pharmaceutical formulations.

Cosmetics Industry

In the cosmetics industry, triethyl citrate is used as a plasticizer in nail polish. It helps to improve the flexibility and durability of the polish.

Safety

Triethyl citrate is generally recognized as safe when used as a food additive. However, like all chemicals, it should be handled with care. It is not classified as a hazardous substance under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.

See Also

• Citric acid
• Ester
• Food additive
• Plasticizer

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