Bis(2-ethylhexyl) maleate

Bis(2-ethylhexyl) maleate is the chemical compound with the structural formula (H3C(\sCH2)3\sCH(\sCH2\sCH3)\sCH2\sO\sC(\dO)\sCH\d)2, where the two carboxylate groups are mutually cis. It can be described as the double ester of maleic acid with the alcohol 2-ethylhexanol. It is commonly called dioctyl maleate (DOM), reflecting the older usage of "octane" to refer to any 8-carbon alkane, straight-chained or branched.

The compound is manufactured by treating 2-ethylhexanol with maleic anhydride and an esterification catalyst. It is a key intermediate raw material in the production of dioctyl sulfosuccinate (DOSS, docusate) salts, used medically as laxatives and stool softeners, and in many other applications as versatile surfactants.