2-Tert-Butyl-1,4-Benzoquinone stands out in the world of specialty chemicals for its clear, stable chemical profile. With the formula C10H12O2 and a molecular weight of 164.20 g/mol, this compound features a 1,4-benzoquinone ring with a bulky tert-butyl group at the ortho position. That tert-butyl addition changes both reactivity and physical behavior compared to the classic parent compound. This solid can appear as yellow flakes or powder, sometimes forming shiny crystals or, on rare occasions, granules of peculiar density. Its strong, distinct aroma usually signals the potential for volatility and alerts to the need for proper handling.
Examining the compound’s structure, the tert-butyl group increases solubility in certain organic solvents, makes the molecules less prone to aggregation, and offers more resistance to reduction. 2-Tert-Butyl-1,4-Benzoquinone has a melting point generally between 70°C and 75°C, and density hovers around 1.1 g/cm³. This kind of density makes it easier to handle in larger volumes, even in liter-scale or more, without the headache of excessive hazard from low flash points, though caution should not give way to complacency. In practice, this quinone doesn’t show up as a liquid under laboratory temperatures, holding strong as a crystalline or flaky solid. High purity (≥98%) remains crucial for any industrial or research application, particularly where catalytic activity or redox stability matters.
Digging into structure, the 1,4-benzoquinone core consists of a six-membered aromatic ring with two ketone groups at the para positions, which allows for electron transfer and cycling in redox reactions. That para system conveys the characteristic yellow color; add the tert-butyl at position 2 and you get the steric bulk that deflects nucleophilic attack and slows air oxidation. If handled as powder, flakes, or pearls, this compound reflects the density of quinones, packs loosely, and flows easily—qualities that supply chain managers and lab techs recognize as a mark of straightforward dispensing, whether by scoop, spatula, or automated feeder.
Under international trade, 2-Tert-Butyl-1,4-Benzoquinone generally falls under HS Code 2914.69. This code covers quinones and their derivatives, so customs officials and compliance officers should double-check if the shipment meets all packaging and labeling rules for hazardous material. As with many quinones, there’s justified concern over toxicity. Exposure can cause respiratory, eye, or skin irritation, especially through dust or liquid solutions. The compound’s oxidative strength means it can burn or cause material degradation, not just annoy employees. Using chemical goggles, gloves, local exhaust, or a fume hood when weighing, mixing, or transferring stands as non-negotiable good practice. Storage means sealed containers, dry rooms, controlled humidity, and temperature to stifle peroxide-forming side reactions or decomposition.
Because 2-Tert-Butyl-1,4-Benzoquinone brings both redox power and bulk, chemists often choose it as a raw material for specialty synthesis. The tert-butyl group blocks further unwanted substitutions. That opens new options for crafting antioxidants, stabilizers, pigment intermediates, and sensitive catalysts. In solution, particularly in chlorinated or aromatic solvents, this compound dissolves readily and holds stability across various ratios, important for precise stoichiometry in high-value batch reactions. The powder can be weighed out to the milligram without caking, and the flaked, crystalline form reduces airborne particles—a relief for anyone responsible for both worker health and process reliability.
Anyone who’s handled this or similar quinones in the lab or pilot plant knows the headaches from poor solubility or instability. 2-Tert-Butyl-1,4-Benzoquinone’s melting point fits neatly into standard equipment; you won’t watch it sublimate away at room temperature. Density and consistency allow for precise inventory management, whether prepping for small syntheses of custom pharmaceuticals or barrels full for polymer modification. Its reliable physical properties mean fewer surprises—no gumming up hoppers, no dust plumes filling respirators, no frantic searches for spoiled material in storage. That kind of predictability means cost savings, fewer health concerns, and tighter production schedules.
Many chemicals do useful work but at a cost to safety. 2-Tert-Butyl-1,4-Benzoquinone ranks as hazardous, with both acute and chronic risks of exposure. Skin contact may induce redness; inhalation of even small amounts sometimes provokes cough or dizziness. Chronic exposure could sensitize or damage organs. For plants with poor ventilation, or those lacking formal PPE programs, incidents can climb. In my experience, tightly managed procurement and clear hazard communication—shipping docs matching SDS, visible GHS labelling, annual staff training—turn what could be a dangerous workplace into a predictable routine. Long shelf life, with stable steric hindrance from the bulky group, further cuts down on waste and surprise accidents involving decomposed stock.
Controlling exposure starts from the dock. Pallets bear chemical-resistant labels, barcodes link to MSDS, and storage segregates oxidizers from acids and bases. Some forward-looking companies use automation for weighing and charging, reducing direct worker contact. If labs scale up, they fit powder handling in gloveboxes or under contained hoods. Waste must leave in sealed, clearly coded drums—hazardous waste protocols don’t offer shortcuts, and local rules may bring steep fines for sloppiness. Emergency planning doesn’t stop at eyewash or showers; evacuation maps, spill kits, routine audits, and a culture of speaking up when procedures slip keep incidents rare. Training never ends, especially for newcomers or temporary staff.
There’s a reason downstream industries—dye makers, plastics formulators, pharma labs—use 2-Tert-Butyl-1,4-Benzoquinone. Its robust redox cycling under controlled conditions, its shelf-stable flake or crystalline form, and its low volatility relative to lighter quinones all cut production headaches. I’ve seen shifts finish early because storage and dispensing went smoothly, orders ship on time, and fewer accidents get reported when the compound fits storage and compliance plans. Though regulators tally the risks, most real-world problems trace back to shortcuts, not the inherent nature of the molecule. Treat the compound with informed respect—never indifference— and it becomes just one more tool, safely stowed among the rest in the modern chemical toolkit.
