Titanium tetrakis(2-ethylhexanolate)

Biodegradation in water: screening tests

Description of key information

Testing is not scientifically justified as substance is hydrolytically unstable. Based on the rapid hydrolysis, and the ready biodegradability and low aquatic toxicity of the known decomposition products, this substance can be considered as readily degradable.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Biodegradation in water:

readily biodegradable

Additional information

Testing of biodegradability of titanium tetrakis(2 -ethylhexanolate) is not scientifically justified as it is hydrolytically unstable. When this substance comes in contact with water or moisture, a complete hydrolysis will take place with no significant reaction products other than 2-ethylhexanol (2 -EH) and hydrated titanium dioxides (half-life < 10 minutes, Brekelmans 2013). In addition, biodegradability testing is not necessary as all the decomposition products have been identified. The most relevant degradation product (2 -EH) is also readily biodegradable (> 79 % to 100 % in 14-d MITI-I test (OECD TG 301 C) at 100 ppm test concentration (NITE 2002), and > 86 -% in 20-d biooxidation test in freshwater and synthetic seawater; Price et al. 1974). The other environmentally non-hazardous degradation product (TiO₂) is inorganic and insoluble and therefore not relevant for this endpoint. Based on the information on aquatic toxicity and biodegradation of the decomposition products, and the rapid hydrolysis of the target substance, the abiotic degradation can be used to demonstrate fast degradation of this substance for the purposes of C&L.