Tert-Butanol

tert-Butyl alcohol (TBA), also called tert-butanol or t-butanol, is the simplest tertiary alcohol, with a formula of (CH3)3COH (sometimes represented as t-BuOH). It is one of the four isomers of butanol. tert-Butyl alcohol is a colorless solid, which melts near room temperature and has a camphor-like odor. It is miscible with water, ethanol and diethyl ether.n-ButanolIsobutanolNonafluoro-tert-butyl alcoholtert-Butyl alcohol has been identified in beer and chickpeas. It is also found in cassava, which is used as a fermentation ingredient in certain alcoholic beverages.tert-Butyl alcohol is derived commercially from isobutane as a coproduct of propylene oxide production. It can also be produced by the catalytic hydration of isobutylene, or by a Grignard reaction between acetone and methylmagnesium chloride.tert-Butyl alcohol is used as a solvent, ethanol denaturant, paint remover ingredient, and gasoline octane booster and oxygenate. It is a chemical intermediate used to produce methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) by reaction with methanol and ethanol, respectively, and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) by reaction with hydrogen peroxide.As a tertiary alcohol, tert-butyl alcohol is more resistant to oxidation and less reactive than the other isomers of butanol.There is limited data on the pharmacology and toxicology of tert-butanol in humans and other animals. Human exposure may occur due to fuel oxygenate metabolism. Tert-butanol is poorly absorbed through skin but rapidly absorbed if inhaled or ingested. Tert-butanol is irritating to skin or eyes. Toxicity of single doses is usually low but high doses can produce a sedative or anesthetic effect.