Butylated hydroxytoluene

  • 2,6-di -tert-butyl -p-cresol
  • 3,5-bis (1,1- dimethylethyl )-4 -hydroxytoluene
  • 3,5-di- tert- butyl-4 -hydroxytoluene
  • BHT
  • Butyl hydroxytoluene
  • 2,6-di- tert-butyl- 4-methylphenol
  • 2,6-bis (1,1- dimethylethyl )-4- methylphenol
  • E 321

Colorless and odorless, crystalline solid

Fixed

1.048 g · cm -3

69-70 ° C

265 ° C.

20 Pa ( 20 ° C)

Practically insoluble in water: 0.1 to 1.14 mg · l-1 (20 ° C)

1.4859 ( 75 ° C)

Attention

20 mg · m-3

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available

Butylated hydroxytoluene ( BHT) is a chemical compound from the group of toluene derivatives that do not occur in nature but is produced industrially and used in substantial quantities.

Production and representation

BHT can be prepared as a catalyst by the reaction of p-cresol (4- methylphenol) with isobutylene (2- methylpropene ) with sulfuric acid:

Use

BHT is used in many consumer products, such as cosmetics or packaging materials, as well as an approved food additive under the designation E 321. It serves primarily as an antioxidant, to prevent changes of products by atmospheric oxygen or to slow down. His addition to diethyl ether or tetrahydrofuran as a stabilizer to prevent the formation of dangerous ether peroxides. In the 1980s, the effectiveness of BHT against herpes was found. But allergic reactions of the subjects against BHT prevented further use in this area.

Toxicology

In a review article of animal tests are described with high doses of BHT, it came to bleeding disorders and in long-term experimental liver tumors were observed. The " International Agency for Research on Cancer " has BHT classified as unclassifiable.

CAS registry number Vapor pressure Dangerous Substances Directive (67/548/EEC) Butylated hydroxyanisole CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics Digital Object Identifier
13063
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