Appearance: Clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid
These properties make TBHP a potent and reactive compound suitable for initiating chemical reactions.
| ANALYSIS RESULT | ||
| ITEM | STANDARD | TEST RESULT |
| Appearance | Colorless to light yellow transparent liquid | Conforms |
| Purity % ≥ | 69.0-71.0 | 70.03 |
| Reactive oxygen,% ≥ | 12.25 | 12.42 |
| Chromacity ≤ | 20 | 6 |
| PH(25℃) | 6.0-9.0 | 7.5 |
| Conclusion | complies with the specification | |
Applications of Tert-Butyl Hydroperoxide
TBHP’s hydroperoxy group (ROOH) provides mild, selective oxidation under transition-metal catalysis, excelling in stereospecific transformations:
- Epoxidation Reactions: Key reagent in Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation of allylic alcohols, producing epoxy alcohols with >95% ee for chiral building blocks in drug synthesis.
- Polymerization Initiator: Generates alkoxy radicals for free-radical polymerization of acrylates and styrenes, enabling controlled molecular weight in coatings and adhesives.
- Oxidative Functionalization: Facilitates N-oxidation of amines, sulfoxidation, and Baeyer-Villiger rearrangements in agrochemical intermediates and fine chemicals.
- Bleaching and Sterilization: Acts as an oxygen source in pulp bleaching and antimicrobial formulations, providing residue-free disinfection in textiles and personal care.
- Green Chemistry Processes: Supports metal-catalyzed oxidations with low waste, such as in the production of glycols from alkenes, aligning with sustainable solvent-free methodologies.
- Radical Chemistry: Initiates allylic oxidations and C-H activations in total synthesis, enhancing yields in complex natural product assemblies.
Global demand for TBHP exceeds 50,000 tons annually, driven by advancements in enantioselective catalysis and bio-based polymer innovations.
Why Choose Aozun Chem’s Tert-Butyl Hydroperoxide?
- Exceptional Stability: Stabilized formulations exceed UN recommendations, with <1% decomposition over 12 months for safe transport and storage.
- Competitive Purity: Analytical-grade quality per ICH Q3A guidelines, ensuring high conversion rates (>98%) in catalytic oxidations.
- Scalable Supply: Flexible volumes with optimized logistics to Asia, Europe, and North America, MOQs from 1 MT.
- Technical Collaboration: Expert support for reaction optimization, catalyst pairing, and scale-up simulations.
- Safety-First Approach: Compliant with REACH and GHS, featuring inert stabilizers to mitigate peroxide hazards and support green lab protocols.
Integrate Aozun Chem’s TBHP to unlock precise, high-yield oxidations in your synthetic workflows.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP), and what is its role in organic synthesis?
Tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP, (CH₃)₃COOH) is a sterically hindered hydroperoxide used as a stoichiometric oxidant in asymmetric syntheses. Its role includes delivering oxygen in epoxidations and hydroxylations, often with titanium or vanadium catalysts, achieving selectivities up to 99% for pharmaceutical intermediates.
How is tert-butyl hydroperoxide produced?
It is primarily manufactured by the air oxidation of isobutane at elevated pressure and temperature, followed by distillation and stabilization with chelators like EDTA. Alternative routes involve the peroxidation of tert-butyl hydroperoxide precursors, yielding 70-80% solutions with high assay purity.
What safety considerations apply to handling TBHP?
As a flammable liquid (flash point 42°C) and strong oxidizer, TBHP can cause severe burns and explosions if contaminated with metals or reducers; classify under UN 3109 (Organic Peroxide Type D). Use PPE, store below 30°C in vented polyethylene containers, and neutralize spills with sodium sulfite—acute dermal LD50 >2,000 mg/kg in rabbits.
Is tert-butyl hydroperoxide suitable for pharmaceutical or food-related applications?
In purified, stabilized forms, it complies with USP peroxide limits for synthetic intermediates in APIs, but direct food contact is prohibited due to decomposition risks. It’s ideal for upstream oxidation in drug manufacturing, with residuals controlled below 10 ppm via aqueous workup.
What is the shelf life and storage protocol for TBHP?
A 70% aqueous solution remains active for 12-24 months when stored in cool (<25°C), dark conditions with pH >4 to prevent radical initiation. Avoid copper/brass fittings and monitor peroxide value quarterly; refrigeration extends stability to 36 months.
Can TBHP be used in sustainable or metal-free oxidation methods?
Yes, recent advancements pair TBHP with organocatalysts or photocatalysis for solvent-free epoxidations, reducing metal waste by 90% and enabling recyclable systems. It’s key in bioorthogonal oxidations for green API synthesis, minimizing organic solvent use.
How does TBHP compare to hydrogen peroxide in oxidation reactions?
TBHP offers higher selectivity and milder conditions (no over-oxidation) due to its organic moiety, excelling in allylic systems, while H₂O₂ is cheaper but less soluble in organics. TBHP dominates enantioselective processes, with reaction rates 2-5x faster in non-aqueous media.
Access our detailed protocols or request a sample to test TBHP in your oxidation setups.
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