Di (2-ethylhexyl) hexahydrophthalate, an environmentally benign plasticizer of polyvinylchloride, could be produced through the hydrogenation of dioctyl phthalate (DOP). The hydrogenation of DOP was compared to that of toluene in this work by using supported nickel catalysts. While the surface acid/base properties significantly affected the activity of toluene hydrogenation, such effect was absent for the hydrogenation of DOP. Such ...