Dimethyl Phthalate (DMP)

Dimethyl phthalate is a organic compound with molecular formula (C2H3O2)2C6H4. The methyl ester of phthalic acid, it is a colorless liquid that is soluble in organic solvents. Dimethyl phthalate is used as an insect repellent for mosquitoes and flies. It is also an ectoparasiticide and has many other uses, including in solid rocket propellants, plastics, and insect repellents.

The photocatalytic degradation of dimethyl phthalate (DMP) in aqueous TiO2 suspension under UV illumination has been investigated using oxygen (O2) and ferrate (Fe(VI)) as electron acceptors. The experiments demonstrated that Fe(VI) was a more effective electron acceptor than O2 for scavenging the conduction band electrons from the surface of the catalyst. Some major intermediate products from DMP degradation were identified by HPLC and GC/MS analyses.