Product Description
Tert-Butyl Hydroperoxide (TBHP), CAS No. 75-91-2, is an organic peroxide commonly supplied as a 70% aqueous solution in the form of a clear, colorless liquid. It is widely used as a medium-temperature free radical initiator and selective oxidizing agent in various industrial chemical processes. TBHP plays an important role in polymerization reactions, organic synthesis, and oxidation applications, offering reliable reactivity and efficient radical generation under controlled conditions. It is classified as UN3109, Class 5.2 (Organic Peroxide), Type F, with subsidiary Class 8 corrosive hazards. Due to its strong oxidizing properties and chemical reactivity, TBHP requires appropriate handling, storage, transportation, and safety precautions in accordance with applicable regulations and industrial safety standards.
Chemical Properties
| Melting point | -2.8℃ |
| Boiling point | 37 °C (15 mmHg) |
| Density | 0.937 g/mL at 20 °C |
| Vapor pressure | 62 mmHg at 45 °C |
| Refractive index | n20/D 1.403 |
| Flash point | 85 °F |
| Storage conditions | 2-8℃ |
| Acidity coefficient (pKa) | pK1: 12.80 (25°C) |
| Form | Liquid |
| Color | Transparent and colorless |
| pH value | 4.3 |
| Water solubility | Miscible |
| Merck | 141,570 |
| BRN | 1098280 |
| Henry's Law Con stant | 4.2×10° mol/(m3Pa) at 25℃, Wang et al. (2017) |
| Exposure limits | No exposure limit is set. On the basis of its irritant properties a ceiling limit of 1.2 mg/m3 (0.3 ppm) is recommended. |
| Stability | Stable, but may explode if heated in enclosed conditions. Encounter with trace metals, molecular sieves or other contaminants may accelerate decomposition. Incompatible with reducing agents, combustible materials, acids |
| InChI | 1S/C4H1002/c1-4(2,3)6-5/h5H,1-3H3 |
| InChIKey | CIHOLLKRGTVIN-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
| SMILES | CC(C)(C)OO |
| LogP | 1.230 (est) |
Product Usage
Tert-Butyl Hydroperoxide (TBHP) is widely used as a free radical initiator in the polymerization of styrene, acrylates, vinyl acetate, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS). It is also applied in latex coatings and as a curing agent for unsaturated polyester resins, supporting controlled polymerization and efficient curing across various industrial applications.
TBHP serves as a selective oxidant and epoxidation reagent in the production of fine chemicals, pharmaceutical intermediates, and agrochemical intermediates. Its strong oxidative properties also make it suitable for diesel desulfurization and the oxidative degradation of organic pollutants, supporting applications in chemical synthesis, fuel processing, and environmental treatment.
