Diphenyl Oxide (Dox) is an organic substance having the chemical formula (C 6 H 5) 2O. It is also a colorless, white powder with a consistency similar to cream. Diphenyl Oxide has a wide range of industrial applications in textiles, leather products, paper, rubber and plastics industries. It has been extensively used in paper-making processes to produce anti-fatigue and waterproofing materials. It has been a main ingredient in many paints and varnishes.


Diphenyl Oxide reacts with other ingredients to form various synthetic chemicals, such as diphenylamine and naphthalene peroxide. The combination of diphenyl oxide and other chemical substances is called a synthetic chemical. The major reaction in industrial processes using diphenyl oxides is during heating. A major portion of the energy in heating is used in completing the heat transfer process.

There are two major organizations involved in regulating the manufacture and use of diphenyl oxides. These are the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). They have published a different set of standards for this chemical, based on its safety, environmental and health hazards. The two agencies together define hazard lists for this chemical to ensure that it will not be used as an additive in products that may cause hazards. Diphenyl Oxide conforms to the listed hazard list for 2211 companies.

Chemical Reaction of Diphenyl Oxide

Diphenyl Oxide reacts with certain substances to produce several chemical substances, including dioxydoylmethane (Diox), dichloropropylene (Dichloroepore), naphthalene (Naphthalene), oxides of trihalomethanes (THMs), and chlorofluorocarbons (FCMs). Dioxydrylmethane is considered by the EPA to be a probable carcinogen, and Dichloropropane is determined to be a probable carcinogenic agent in studies with laboratory animals. Other chemicals that may be affected by diphenyl oxide are the following: acetaldehyde, acetonitrile, benzene, bromine, carbon dioxide, chromium, carbon monoxide, cytohemium, ephedrine, eutheranol, ethylene diamine, hydroxycitric acid, iodo-naptha, isopropyl-dihydrotestosterone, phenytoin, quercetin, sulfamethoxazole, and triclosan.

The EPA has determined that the exposure of workers to diphenyl oxide poses no significant or relevant risks. Based on this information, however, the EPA has determined that there are still some conditions where daily exposure to the product is necessary to protect the worker's health. These include cases where materials are being used for diagnostic purposes or in treatment settings. Therefore, it is important to only use such test material under the supervision of qualified medical personnel and that the material is stored in a safe location. In these cases, the worker should be asked to:

If diphenyl oxide is used in accordance with instructions as directed, then the result is a nice white, odorless liquid. In most instances this liquid will not cause any noticeable irritation to the human body. However, when the material comes into contact with something that is not clean, such as urine or other waste products, it can produce a strong odor. To solve this problem, it is essential that the material is directed to a professional purifier before it is disposed of.

A rather simple diaryl ether is also available in most cleaning solutions that address the same problem. This organic compound is mixed with tap water and then treated with a mild detergent. The resulting solution is a slightly lighter version of the Diphenyl Oxide that produces a pleasant odor. As with the odorless liquid that is produced, this product is non-toxic and poses no health risk when handled properly. Unfortunately, it is also among the more commonly used solvents in the cleaning industry.

Cleaning solutions that contain diphenyl oxide and similar compounds have been shown to work well when dealing with a variety of industrial issues. They can reduce the amount of time that material needs to be processed and they can eliminate the strong odors that come from wastes. When purchasing a product that contains this organic compound, it is important that you find a supplier that offers a comprehensive cleaning formulation that addresses your specific needs. After testing various brands, this cleaning agent is among the easiest and least expensive methods to employ when tackling germs and odor in general.