4,6-Di-Tert-Butyl-M-Cresol carries the molecular formula C15H24O and ranks among those chemicals you probably won’t spot in everyday life, yet it shapes the safety and longevity of plenty of products. The substance forms as a white or off-white solid, showing up mostly as crystalline flakes or powder. Its melting point falls in the range of 69-72°C, and the density hovers around 1.05 g/cm³ at 25°C. Out on the market, suppliers offer it in forms like pearls, solid blocks, or even fine powders, letting manufacturers choose what fits their handling and formulation needs. With a faint but recognizable odor, it dissolves only slightly in water, but works much better in organic solvents such as ethanol, benzene, and acetone.
Getting down to the structure, the chemical contains two bulky tert-butyl groups attached to a cresol backbone. This isn’t just a quirk for chemists to admire — those tert-butyl branches boost the overall steric hindrance, which raises the compound’s stability. Chemically, this translates into impressive antioxidant properties. It scavenges free radicals and prevents oxidation in various materials. As a result, this compound lands on ingredient lists for plastics, rubbers, and petroleum-based substances, protecting them against age-related changes like brittleness or discoloration. Having worked in research labs where antioxidant choices meant the difference between a clean, clear sample and degraded mess, I’ve seen teams rely on this cresol derivative to extend shelf-life, especially where high temperatures and oxygen exposure would otherwise wreak havoc.
On the technical side, 4,6-Di-Tert-Butyl-M-Cresol tends to get supplied with purity levels above 99%, screened using precise chromatographic methods. Each batch comes with details about appearance, melting point, solubility, infrared spectrum, and occasionally residual solvents as per regulatory requests. Secure packaging proves essential. The powder form, for example, requires sealed drums or high-barrier bags to avoid environmental contamination and moisture pick-up. Physical characteristics such as bulk density and particle size also matter, mostly because processing lines might jam up with the wrong granulation or flow profile. In practical terms, a solid or pearl format lets heavier industry users scoop, measure, and mix without dealing with air-borne dust, which few operators appreciate.
Under the Harmonized System (HS), this antioxidant typically falls under code 2908.90, which covers various derivatives of phenols or phenol-alcohols. From import tariffs to logistics paperwork, manufacturers and distributers follow these classifications closely to ensure compliance and streamline customs. No supplier wants to be caught out by surprise duties or labeling errors, and large-scale shipments of pure chemicals like this one never fly under regulatory radars.
On health and safety, 4,6-Di-Tert-Butyl-M-Cresol walks a fine line. It rarely behaves aggressively under normal handling, but it’s far from harmless. Direct contact with the skin or eyes can cause irritation; inhalation of fine dust over extended periods brings respiratory risks. Chronic overexposure has prompted questions about its toxicity and environmental impact—evidence points to harmful effects if it enters watersheds or food chains. Proper ventilation, eye protection, and chemical-resistant gloves become non-negotiable for anyone working directly with the raw material. As with many chemicals of this type, disposal requires planning: burning the waste at high temperature in licensed facilities stands as the safest bet. Over the past decade, global users have shifted to closed systems and enhanced spill controls, prompted both by greener regulations and the very real threat of costly contamination events.
As demand for antioxidants and stabilizers rises across plastics, fuels, and lubricants, calls for safer substitutes gain volume. Some countries push for “greener” variants with reduced environmental footprint, but chemistry has not delivered a drop-in replacement matching the cost, effectiveness, and processability of 4,6-Di-Tert-Butyl-M-Cresol. Experienced operators recommend better training, clear labeling, and increased automation during the dosing process—practical steps that help cut accidental exposures and reduce waste. Research suggests that diluting the active chemical in carrier oils or polymers, rather than using it neat, can meaningfully cut risks without sacrificing performance. I’ve seen companies switch over to pre blended additives or coated forms, which both minimize dust and make storage simpler. Keeping regulators, manufacturers, and raw material suppliers at the same table leads toward a safer, more responsible future for users and communities alike.
