As a “purist”, I never really like to see any 2-ethylhexyl substituent in my molecules, as it usually has a undefined stereogenic center at the 2 position.  Materials incorperating such a functionality thus are random mixtures(!) of (R)- and (S)- stereoisomers, not to mention molecules possessing multiple 2-ethylhexyl substituents.

Materials scientists, especially aromatic polymer chemists, use 2-ethylhexyl to enhance the solubility, as such a bulky subsitutent distrupts pi-stacking/aggregation.  Outside of the research labs, as it turns out, molecules with 2-ethylhexyl are actually ubiquitous in our daily life; I wonder if those 2-ethylhexyls were implemented also for modulating the aggregation properties.

Just to name a few, 2-ethylhexyl nitrate (2-EHN) is a cetane improver added to diesel fuels, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, which is produced approx. 3 biilion kg/year, is a plasticizer for PVC, and octocrylene and octyl methoxylcinnamate are ingredients in sunscreen products that absorb UVB and UVA.  Without a doubt, I should have given ethylhexyl much more credits!