DETX (CAS 82799-44-8)
| CAS No. | 82799-44-8 |
|---|---|
| Alias | diethyl-9H-thioxanthen-9-one |
| Category | Photoinitiators |
| Purity | ≥98.00% (HPLC) |
| Packaging | 20kg/carton |
DETX (2,4-diethyl-9H-thioxanthen-9-one) is a general-purpose free radical photoinitiator with long absorption wavelengths (261 nm and 385 nm) and excellent solubility. It is commonly used with α-hydroxy ketone photoinitiators for curing colored systems, and it also serves as an effective sensitizer for iodonium salt cationic initiators. Compared with ITX, DETX offers lower toxicity and a wider scope of application.
Equivalent grades. The same substance is sold by other manufacturers as Omnirad DETX, Speedcure DETX, Genocure DETX. It is the same CAS number (82799-44-8) and the same chemistry, so a formulation written around one of those grades transfers directly.
Introduction
DETX is a thioxanthone, and its job is the same as ITX's: absorb light that other initiators miss, so that a pigmented or thick film cures all the way through rather than only at the surface. Its absorption reaches 385 nm, which is further into the visible than most Type I initiators go.
Where it differs from ITX is toxicity profile, which is why some formulators specify it instead. It is a Type II initiator and needs a co-initiator, usually a tertiary amine. It also works as a sensitiser for iodonium salt cationic systems, transferring energy to an initiator that cannot be excited directly at the available wavelength.
Physical & Chemical Properties
Yellow powder. Molecular formula C17H16OS, molecular weight 268.37, purity ≥98.00% by HPLC, melting range 69.0–76.0 °C, loss on drying ≤0.50%. Absorption maxima at 261 nm and 385 nm.
Applications
Recommended at 1–3% as a photoinitiator, or 0.5–1% as a sensitiser. Commonly combined with an alpha-hydroxy ketone for curing coloured systems. Good solubility in common monomers and resins.
Regulatory status
DETX has no harmonised classification under CLP and is not on the REACH Candidate List. It is not listed in Swiss Annex 10.
One piece of market history is worth passing on. At a German advisory meeting in April 2008, the printing industry association stated that its member companies were no longer using DETX as the replacement for ITX. That is an industry position rather than a legal one, and it dates from well before the current regulatory picture. It does not make DETX unlawful anywhere. It does mean that if you are specifying DETX into a food-contact printing ink, it is worth asking your customer whether their specification has a view on it, because their trade body may have had one for nearly two decades.
Handling & Storage
Store sealed, cool, dark and well ventilated. Avoid dust formation. Consult the SDS.
Packaging
20 kg cartons. COA per batch, SDS in English, samples available.
Applications & Industries
Coatings & Paints
Metal driers (cobalt, manganese, zirconium octoate, naphthenates) and photoinitiators for coatings, paints, varnishes and industrial finishes — with COA & MSDS per batch.
UV Curing & Printing Inks
Free radical photoinitiators for UV-curable inks, coatings, adhesives and 3D printing — 1173, 184, 369, 907, ITX, DETX, TPO/TPO-L and liquid blends, QC-tested per batch.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is your minimum order quantity (MOQ)?
MOQ depends on the product and specification. For most chemicals we can supply from 1 kg sample orders up to full container loads (FCL). Contact us with the product name and CAS number for a specific MOQ quotation.
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