2,4,6-Tri-tert-butylphenol

Chemical properties

Solid. Insoluble in water; soluble in most organic solvents. Combustible.

The Uses of 2,4,6-Tri-tert-butylphenol

2,4,6-Tri-tert-butylphenol is an antioxidant; used in preparation method of high-temperature resistant electromagnetic shielding electromagnetic bushing.

Flammability and Explosibility

Non flammable

Purification Methods

Distil the phenol under reduced pressure and/or recrystallise it from n-hexane or several times from 95% EtOH until the EtOH solution is colourless [Balasubramanian & Bruice J Am Chem Soc 108 5495 1986]. It has also been purified by sublimation [Yuan & Bruice J Am Chem Soc 108 1643 1986, Wong et al. J Am Chem Soc 109 3428 1987]. Purification has also been achieved by passage through a silica gel column followed by recrystallisation from n-hexane [Kajii et al. J Phys Chem 91 2791 1987]. [Beilstein 6 III 2094, 6 IV 3539.]

Toxicity evaluation

In order to study the chronic toxicity of 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenol (TTBP), groups of 40 Slc: Wistar rats of either sex were fed a diet containing 0, 30, 100, 300, or 1000 ppm of TTBP for up to 24 months. Hematological, biochemical, and histopathological examinations performed periodically revealed slight microcytic anemia, changes in some biochemical parameters relating to liver function, and focal necrosis of liver cells following TTBP administration, and these changes observed in females were more severe than those in males. No neoplastic responses following TTBP administration were noted. Hence, it was concluded that TTBP causes liver injury characterized by focal necrosis with microcytic anemia and elevations of serum phospholipids and cholesterol levels, presumably occurring as secondary effects following the liver injury[1].

References

[1] Matsumoto, Kiyoshi , et al. "Chronic toxicity of 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenol in rats." Journal of Toxicological Sciences 16.4(1991):167.