The present invention relates to a process for purifying benzenepolycarboxylic esters and for preparing cyclohexanepolycarboxylic esters by hydrogenating the purified benzenepolycarboxylic esters. The invention further relates to benzenepolycarboxylic esters and cyclohexanepolycarboxylic esters having a small proportion of by-products, especially of dialkyl ethers, and especially to diisononyl cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate having a small proportion of diisononyl ether. The invention also relates to the use of the cyclohexanepolycarboxylic esters as plasticizers, especially in products intended for human contact, such as children's toys, food packaging and medical articles.