Before folks had today’s sophisticated antioxidants, chemists hunted for ways to keep materials like rubber and fuel from breaking down. Somewhere along this line, in the early-to-mid 20th century, 6-tert-butyl-o-cresol (sometimes called 2-tert-butyl-6-methylphenol) showed promise. Early papers mention a spurt of interest because industries saw a reliable, economical way to slow oxidation. I remember reading classic journals where researchers pushed to find stronger, less volatile phenolic compounds, and 6-tert-butyl-o-cresol stood out for both chemical stability and manageable cost. The demand for more robust preservatives in industrial greases and petroleum products steered its adoption through dozens of patents and technical bulletins.
Manufacturers sell 6-tert-butyl-o-cresol as a high-purity crystalline powder, meant to keep oils, lubricants, and even polymers from going bad. It winds up in factories, labs, and often in plant maintenance kits where premature oxidation of gear oils could mean costly breakdowns. I’ve worked with engineers who gain extra months—or even years—out of machinery by using this compound in formulated oil blends. The compound’s role is simple: it donates a hydrogen atom to free radicals, blocking the chain reaction that destroys organic materials. Chemists lean on it for its single, strong hydroxyl group, which offers predictable interaction during formulation and minimal byproducts during use.
Solid at room temperature, 6-tert-butyl-o-cresol appears as pale or white crystals, carrying a slight phenolic odor that’s familiar if you’ve worked in a lab. It boasts a molecular formula of C11H16O, with a melting point often measured around 56 to 60 degrees Celsius. It’s soluble in many organic solvents—ethyl alcohol, ether, acetone—but barely budges in water. The tert-butyl and methyl groups drop right onto the benzene ring, making the molecule bulky enough to resist volatilization without reducing its solubility in oily matrices. This means blending it into lubricants doesn’t cause haze or instability in the mixture.
Any sample of 6-tert-butyl-o-cresol leaving a supplier’s warehouse should have its assay checked, usually running over 99%. Labels often list the molecular weight: 164.25 g/mol, CAS No. 88-60-8, often lot-by-lot purity values, and, for industry-grade shipments, batch-specific handling precautions. Technical sheets detail impurity thresholds—residual solvents, related phenolics, and moisture content. Years ago, I watched suppliers transition to barcoded drums and pails, always including updated hazard icons and UN shipping numbers. Every operator expects a clear hazard assignment, such as GHS classification for skin and eye irritation, so regulatory paperwork passes audits every time.
Manufacturers usually start with o-cresol as the base. They react it with isobutylene under acidic conditions, using a catalyst like sulfuric acid or certain zeolites. Those big, glass-lined reactors churn out tert-butylated products, with temperature and pressure tightly monitored. Experienced operators focus on yield selectors to get a high conversion rate while minimizing tri-alkylation and resin byproduct. Later stages involve cooling, washing, distillation, and sometimes crystallization using hexane or heptane to get the clean, white product. I remember the emphasis on thorough washing steps; even slight contamination can mess up performance in finished oils.
The active hydroxyl group lets 6-tert-butyl-o-cresol take part in a variety of reactions. Its antioxidant power relies on breaking radical chains, yet secondary modifications—like etherification or esterification—crop up in specialized chemistry work, usually to alter solubility. Oxidation of this phenol under harsh conditions generates quinones, but that’s more an academic pursuit than practical use. In my experience, labs have explored sulfonated or carboxylated derivatives to match the needs of specific industrial coatings but always circle back to the phenol itself for everyday tasks.
Depending on the region or supplier, 6-tert-butyl-o-cresol goes by plenty of names: 2-tert-butyl-6-methylphenol, 2-hydroxy-3-methyl-tert-butylbenzene, or even certain trade designations in lubricant or rubber compounding catalogs. This naming muddle can trip up newcomers, especially since labeling standards vary. Any R&D chemist quickly learns to check both the CAS number (88-60-8) and the molecular structure when ordering, since similarly named chemicals sometimes deliver different performance.
Industry experience stresses protective practices during handling. This compound stings on contact, especially to sensitive skin or eyes, so gloves, goggles, and closed handling systems remain standard. Proper labeling marks hazards under GHS—often “Causes serious eye irritation” and “Harmful if swallowed.” Storage instructions focus on cool, dry rooms, since high temperatures risk degradation and release of phenolic vapors. Workplace air monitoring sometimes becomes necessary, as dust or vapors can accumulate in confined spaces. Long-term staff often learn to respect its odor; accidental spills linger unless cleaned with plenty of solvent and ventilation. Disposal sticks to local hazardous waste protocols—landfill’s not an option.
Biggest use lands in lubricants, whether in factory gears, automotive engines, or hydraulic systems. I’ve seen technical teams add small fractions to transformer oils and specialty greases to delay oxidative breakdown—a boon in keeping critical machinery running longer. Compounded rubbers, adhesives, and even some plastics benefit from the stabilizing effect. Researchers working on high-performance polymers experiment with blends of antioxidants, yet 6-tert-butyl-o-cresol remains a reliable fallback, particularly when cost matters. Some specialty paints and coatings use it for the same reason, although environmental controls increasingly influence its selection.
Research around this molecule swings between two poles: improving its antioxidant effectiveness and limiting environmental risks. Synthetic chemists often chase derivatives with heavier or more branched groups, aiming for gentler toxicity profiles or higher solubilities. I talked with product formulators frustrated by legislative bans targeting phenolic residues; many projects now aim to maintain performance but reduce regulatory headaches. Modern labs run battery after battery of stability tests, measuring how small structure tweaks affect shelf-life, safety, and interaction with other additives. As far as library compounds go, 6-tert-butyl-o-cresol provides a useful benchmark for screening new candidates against real-world stresses.
Studies of 6-tert-butyl-o-cresol raise some flags. Lab animals exposed to high concentrations show hepatic impact and possible disruption to endocrine pathways. Regulatory agencies keep a close watch and demand updated safety sheets for every major use, especially in food-adjacent applications. Decades back, toxicity discouraged its use in direct-contact food-packaging and most consumer goods, yet its presence in industrial settings persists. The stain of persistent organic pollutants further complicates its environmental story, as breakdown products linger in wastewater. Responsible companies phase out unnecessary use and install closed systems, aiming to keep releases to an absolute minimum, but the problem of industrial antioxidants in water streams still rears up in many regional reports.
The story’s not ending, though. The push for greener chemistry drives research into biodegradable or less toxic replacements, but none yet meet all the demands of performance, cost, and stability in industrial oils. Meanwhile, regulatory frameworks may continue to tighten, so future production cycles build in stricter safety and lower emissions. Academic labs team up with commercial R&D to explore renewable feedstocks, hoping to trim both environmental impact and resource constraints. From what I’ve seen at industry conferences and in trade publications, demand for robust oxidation inhibitors like 6-tert-butyl-o-cresol won’t vanish overnight. What seems certain is that users will have to rethink supply chains, disposal methods, and perhaps even overhaul entire product lines in response to policy, consumer demands, and laboratory breakthroughs. This compound’s path tracks a larger industrial journey: doing more with less, protecting assets, and answering tough questions about long-term impacts.
6-Tert-Butyl-O-Cresol isn’t a name that rolls off the tongue, but it plays a pretty important role in a lot of everyday products. Some folks working in industry often call it BHT, short for butylated hydroxytoluene, and it’s been around for years. Imagine opening a bag of chips that still tastes fresh after sitting on a shelf; 6-Tert-Butyl-O-Cresol has helped make that possible.
A big reason you’ll find this chemical in so many pantries is food preservation. It works by slowing down how quickly fats and oils spoil. Oxidation makes food rancid, and BHT helps block that process. In truth, I’ve checked food labels and noticed BHT listed in snacks, cereals, and even chewing gum. It keeps things tasting the way they should, not stale or “off.” The FDA put a cap on how much companies can add, and strict guidelines help keep it safe for people to eat.
The uses for 6-Tert-Butyl-O-Cresol stretch way past food. Anyone who’s bought motor oil or cosmetics has probably used a product containing this antioxidant, even if they didn’t know it. Plastics, rubbers, and fuels benefit from BHT because it stops their breakdown under heat or exposure to air. For example, if you’ve ever noticed your car’s plastic dashboard not cracking as soon as you thought it would, antioxidants in the material help slow down that wear and tear.
Cosmetic makers add BHT to lotions and lipsticks to keep the oils from going bad. Without that help, products could smell funky or change color quickly. The European Commission has studied its use in skincare and has set rules to limit exposure. So there’s oversight here, too.
Not everyone feels comfortable with BHT in their food or personal care items. Some animal research raised questions about possible health effects when consumed in large doses, especially over a long time. That’s pushed regulators to keep reviewing new evidence. So far, most health agencies say small amounts are safe, but calls for tougher rules keep popping up. I tend to look for balanced info from sources like the World Health Organization or the FDA, since they don’t gain anything from scaring or soothing people.
With public concern growing, some companies are swapping in natural preservatives, like rosemary extract or vitamin E. These do a similar job of preventing spoilage but come with their own challenges, such as higher costs or a weaker ability to keep products fresh over time. Research keeps moving forward. Scientists are working on safer, more efficient ways to protect food and products, but the transition takes time and real testing in the field.
6-Tert-Butyl-O-Cresol serves a purpose that’s tough to ignore. It keeps food edible and products working longer. Using less of it—or relying on newer, well-tested alternatives—fits the trend of cleaner, safer products. Choices for consumers are growing, but each alternative brings its own set of trade-offs.
Walking into a chemical lab, you bump into names like 6-Tert-Butyl-O-Cresol. It can throw even a curious mind off. Most folks, including me, care more about what it does, what it looks like, and why scientists talk about it. That’s the angle we need for real understanding.
Chemists draw the structure of 6-Tert-Butyl-O-Cresol as a ring—this ring is called a benzene ring. Imagine a simple hexagon, each corner standing for a carbon atom. On this ring, every carbon gets one hydrogen, but that’s before the big guys enter the picture. Three atoms swap out their hydrogens for something bulkier:
In chemist language, the full name reads as 2-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol. Its formula? C11H16O. There’s the core, with three special groups sticking off.
Growing up watching my dad fix farm machines, I saw oil turn gooey from sitting in the sun. Later on, learning about antioxidants helped it click: these compounds fight degradation and aging in oils and plastics. It turns out, 6-Tert-Butyl-O-Cresol stops oxidation right at the chemical level. That hydroxyl group donates a hydrogen atom when free radicals arrive, ending the chain reaction before it ruins things.
Molecular shape is no small deal here. The tert-butyl group blocks the path for more aggressive chemical attacks. Less exposed hydrogen atoms mean a stronger, more effective antioxidant. That’s why it lands in industrial oils, food packaging, and cosmetics. People expect these products to last longer without turning rancid or falling apart.
Not everything pretty in the lab is safe in your pocket. Many synthetic antioxidants travel into our food, body lotions, and air. Research highlights that molecules like 6-Tert-Butyl-O-Cresol, if overused, might come with health concerns ranging from allergies to potential endocrine disruption. Many countries set strict safety limits and require clear labeling, partly due to mounting evidence and consumer pressure.
More companies have started to shift toward natural antioxidants. Vitamin E, rosemary extract, and green tea polyphenols answer the demand for safer alternatives. Science, though, reminds us that performance matters—if natural options fall short, shelf life shrinks and waste climbs. Honest risk assessment, ongoing testing, and transparent labeling build trust between industries and communities who use these chemicals every day.
No molecule fixes every problem alone. Knowing the structure of 6-Tert-Butyl-O-Cresol unlocks choices about where and how to use it. Researchers develop new blends to balance performance and safety. Stepping up testing, working with regulators, and keeping the public informed ensures these chemicals help where they should, without hidden costs. That’s real progress for cleaner food, safer packaging, and healthier lives.
6-Tert-Butyl-O-Cresol—sometimes called BHT—shows up in everything from industrial lubricants to everyday plastics and even as a preservative in personal care goods. Years ago, I caught the habit of checking ingredient labels, and BHT seems to pop up in the most unlikely places. At home, I once found it listed in the ingredients on a jar of face cream in my bathroom cabinet. Questions about its long-term impact on health and the environment became hard to ignore.
Many studies point out that BHT may not be as harmless as once thought. Animal studies have raised eyebrows—high doses can mess with the liver, lungs, and even hormones. Some research suggests connections to cancer, although doses tested exceed normal human exposure. Regulatory bodies, including the European Food Safety Authority, nailed down safe consumption levels, but the chemical’s presence across such a wide range of products looks unnecessary to some scientists. This makes me wonder why it's so widely used.
It turns out that while actual toxicity reports involving humans stay pretty rare, chronic low-level exposure doesn’t sit well with groups studying endocrine disruption and potential allergies. The concern grows when stacking up exposures—not just in food but also inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Think about children using creams or playing with plastic toys containing this chemical, or workers exposed in factories. I’ve spoken with friends who work in the chemical industry, and they say gloves and proper ventilation remain non-negotiable when handling this compound, hinting at its risks.
BHT’s history with the environment isn’t particularly flattering. The substance doesn’t break down easily. When products containing BHT get thrown away or washed down the drain, it can hang around in waterways and soil. According to research, BHT and its byproducts have toxic effects on aquatic life—fish and tiny crustaceans can suffer developmental problems. Even small concentrations sometimes disrupt ecosystems. I’ve volunteered in river cleanups and, over coffee afterwards, biologists often mention persistent chemicals like this as a real problem that doesn’t always make headlines.
The challenge here isn’t just knowing a chemical name—it’s demanding transparency. Clearer labeling would let people make smarter choices, especially parents and folks with allergies. Companies could switch to safer alternatives—natural antioxidants, for instance—though industry pushback remains, over cost and performance. Laws can change too. The European Union, for example, has limited its use in certain products, while other countries lag behind.
Disposal matters as well. BHT-heavy materials should stay out of compost and municipal waste streams. Safe hazardous waste disposal cuts down the leaks into land and water. Talking with environmental engineers convinced me that even small personal actions, multiplied by millions, can push manufacturers to rethink old habits.
In the end, paying attention and asking questions does more good than most people realize. Many of the chemicals in daily life landed there before anyone examined their impact over decades. Far from an obscure lab compound, BHT feels like a test case for how modern society juggles convenience, profit, and the kind of future we want to hand over.
6-Tert-Butyl-O-Cresol—or BHT, as most people in the lab call it—shows up in more places than many folks might expect. You’ll run into it in plastics, rubbers, even cosmetics and foods. Managing this chemical, though, asks for a certain respect as much for what it can do as for the problems it can cause if left unchecked. Nobody wants a storage incident or an unsafe lab.
BHT stays stable at room temperature, but the place you keep it matters a lot. A dry, well-ventilated spot makes spills and clumping far less likely. Humidity isn’t just hard on comfort; it invites caking and sometimes even slow reactions nobody wants. I’ve seen careless storage turn decent product into a solid mess that takes a chisel to break up.
That storage area should see as little direct sunlight as possible. Heat and light nudge BHT along toward slow decomposition. Tossing a container on an upper shelf where sunbeams shine for hours really shortens its usable life. Dark, cool spaces with a simple thermometer nearby do the trick. Keeping it below 25°C keeps things predictable.
BHT acts as an antioxidant, not a toxin in the classic sense, but direct contact brings its own set of issues. Gloves and eye protection fit right into daily use, because nobody feels like explaining a skin irritation or eye splash during a safety meeting. Proper handling isn’t about paranoia—it’s just respecting how the stuff works, and knowing that powdered BHT drifts in the air much more easily than some expect.
Good ventilation matters. Blowing powder around a closed room guarantees an uncomfortable cleanup, and after a few years of chasing white dust in odd corners, most lab workers set up extraction fans or do their measuring inside a fume hood. It’s less hassle over time, and if a spill happens, the air stays cleaner.
I’ve lost count of the times I’ve seen plain, worn containers with faded labels and no hint of contents or hazard warnings. Clear labeling may sound basic, but in fast-moving labs or warehouses, clear, up-to-date labels mean fewer questions and a cleaner compliance record when audits roll around. A solid secondary containment tray under the storage containers catches slips and small spills, saving hours later.
Keep incompatible chemicals far from BHT. Strong oxidizing agents and acids don’t play nice with antioxidants. A couple minutes spent reorganizing shelves to keep those types apart pays off in peace of mind.
Every healthy workplace has one or two people who know exactly where to find the spill kit, eye wash station, and fire extinguisher. Training isn’t just a box to tick on a safety checklist. Anyone who uses BHT ought to run through spill and first-aid drills now and then. These drills help everyone react faster and with more confidence.
Regulations shift over time with new research. Keeping up with current OSHA guidelines and local statutes goes beyond good practice—it ties directly to credibility and trust, both inside and outside the business. Auditors and customers look for consistency in safety as much as product quality. Labs and plants that stay ahead of the regulations don’t just avoid fines—they build reputations that last.
Taking care in how BHT is stored and handled makes life easier for everyone down the line. It signals a workplace that values both safety and efficiency. It doesn’t take new technology or expensive fixes, just respect for a useful chemical and the people who rely on it every day.
6-Tert-Butyl-O-Cresol, better known as BHT, falls under a family of phenolic antioxidants that show up everywhere from food packaging to fuels. Purchasing this compound isn’t the same as walking into a supermarket—specialty suppliers and chemical distributors run this trade. Sigma-Aldrich, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and TCI America pop up as some of the main players on simple online searches. Compared to smaller, regional chemical supply companies, these giants bring years of handling logistics and regulatory paperwork. Reliable documentation, such as COAs and SDSs, usually comes standard from these big sellers.
Walk into any university or industrial lab and mention BHT. Folks usually associate it with the need for pure, traceable chemicals to keep experiments repeatable. Reputable suppliers offer clear documentation for each batch. Without it, research and manufacturing processes can slow down or risk falling short of compliance standards. In my own experience handling lab orders, clean paperwork and customer service play a bigger role than discounts on bulk quantities.
Most suppliers list BHT in a broad range of package sizes. Small bottles—like 25 grams or 100 grams—work for experimentation, academic research, or product development. These packages sit well on the shelf of a student chemist or an engineer building test batches. Larger drums, often starting from 1 kilogram and sometimes scaling into multi-kilo tubs, serve industrial operations. I’ve seen automotive, plastics, and lubricants shops buying upwards of 25 kilograms at a time. Such quantities bring the price per kilo down, which matters more for companies producing consumer goods.
Some sellers allow custom pack sizes, especially if you contact their sales teams directly. This helps bridge the gap between personal research and commercial production. Minimum order quantities might show up as a hurdle for smaller buyers—some outlets won’t sell less than 500 grams, or even just offer kilogram increments.
I’ve watched local distributors add convenience for buyers who need fast delivery or simpler payment terms. Handling shipping in-country cuts delays at customs and avoids headaches from unexpected fees. Local laws around hazardous material transport get enforced more smoothly. On the other hand, international sellers might beat local prices for bulk purchases, but you have to watch for language barriers in documentation and higher freight costs.
Some online platforms, like Alibaba, give access to direct-from-manufacturer deals, mainly for large orders. These sellers expect buyers to handle or know import logistics. For smaller labs or first-time buyers, sticking with established suppliers—who offer customer support, regulatory guarantees, and easy returns—makes more sense.
Quality can’t be a guessing game—BHT ends up in sensitive products. Suppliers sending out low-grade or off-spec chemicals introduce real risks. Accreditation with certifying bodies, registration with agencies like the EPA or REACH, and GMP certification indicate a seller takes quality control seriously. I remember weighing a supplier’s ISO certification pretty highly before placing large orders for industrial clients.
Laws differ around the world. Buyers working in sectors with strict regulations, such as food or cosmetics, need to ask about food-grade or pharmaceutical-grade BHT, not just “technical grade.” This level of due diligence saves a lot of trouble and prevents regulatory holdups down the line, especially if products will move across borders.
Anyone eyeing regular or large-scale BHT orders should look at building a relationship with a single, reputable supplier. One-off purchases work fine for R&D, but repeat business allows for bulk discounts and smoother troubleshooting if shipments ever run into trouble. Reading reviews from other buyers and reaching out for advice through industry forums or trade shows adds an extra layer of confidence.
Staying up to date on safety and handling is important since BHT can carry workplace hazards. Proper labeling, storage information, and disposal guidance aren’t “nice to have”—they’re a must for safe labs and production spaces. It only takes one poorly labeled package or missing SDS to invite real trouble.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | 2-tert-butyl-6-methylphenol |
| Other names |
2-Methyl-6-tert-butylphenol 2-Methyl-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenol 6-tert-Butyl-2-hydroxytoluene 4-Hydroxy-3-methyl-5-tert-butylbenzene p-Methyl-tert-butylphenol |
| Pronunciation | /ˈsɪks tɜːt ˈbɜːtɪl oʊ ˈkrɛsɒl/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 88-60-8 |
| Beilstein Reference | 1721397 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:31313 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL1541 |
| ChemSpider | 21416544 |
| DrugBank | DB08597 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.019.340 |
| EC Number | 128-37-0 |
| Gmelin Reference | 604594 |
| KEGG | C06510 |
| MeSH | D001910 |
| PubChem CID | 8095 |
| RTECS number | EO1400000 |
| UNII | 6O4EEW2TH1 |
| UN number | UN3077 |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | 6TertButylOCresol |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C11H16O |
| Molar mass | 220.35 g/mol |
| Appearance | White to pale yellow crystalline powder |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 0.889 g/cm3 |
| Solubility in water | insoluble |
| log P | 4.1 |
| Vapor pressure | 0.0000125 mmHg (25°C) |
| Acidity (pKa) | 11.86 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 10.51 |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | -67.0e-6 cm³/mol |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.5220 |
| Viscosity | 1.2 mPa·s (at 20 °C) |
| Dipole moment | 2.33 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 322.6 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | -392.2 kJ mol⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -6384.8 kJ/mol |
| Pharmacology | |
| ATC code | A05BA02 |
| Hazards | |
| GHS labelling | GHS02, GHS07 |
| Pictograms | GHS07,GHS09 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | H315, H319, H335 |
| Precautionary statements | P210, P280, P305+P351+P338, P337+P313 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 2-2-0 |
| Flash point | 113°C |
| Autoignition temperature | 410 °C |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 (oral, rat): 890 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (median dose): 4,000 mg/kg (oral, rat) |
| NIOSH | LL4025000 |
| PEL (Permissible) | PEL (Permissible): Not established |
| REL (Recommended) | 10 mg/m³ |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Butylated hydroxyanisole 2,6-Di-tert-butylphenol 4-tert-Butylphenol 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol 2-tert-Butyl-4-methylphenol |
