tert-Butyl peroxy-2-ethylhexanoate

Chemical properties

Tert-Butyl peroxy-2-ethylhexanoate is a colorless liquid. It has a half-life in benzene of 10.0 h at 162°F (72°C). It is used as a medium temperature initiator for the polymerization of vinyl monomers and the curing of styrene-unsaturated polyester resins. It is regarded as an intermediate fire hazard; however, it has low impact sensitivity .

The Uses of tert-Butyl peroxy-2-ethylhexanoate

Tert-Butyl peroxy-2-ethylhexanoate (TBPO), also known as Trigonox 21S or PEROXAN PO-30 , is an initiator for (co)polymerization of ethylene, styrene, acrylonitrile and (meth)acrylates. Curing agent for unsaturated polyester resins. It is used for high pressure polymerization of ethylene in both autoclave and tubular processes, usually in combination with other peroxides of varying degrees of activity.

General Description

This peroxide is particularly sensitive to temperature rises and contamination. Above a given "Control Temperature" they decompose violently. tert-Butyl peroxy-2-ethylhexanoate is generally stored or transported with inert solids to mitigate the explosion hazard.

Reactivity Profile

Tert-Butyl peroxy-2-ethylhexanoate explodes with great violence when rapidly heated to a critical temperature; pure form is shock sensitive and detonable [Bretherick 1979 p. 602]. Decomposes violently or explosively at temperatures 0-10°C owing to self- accelerating exothermic decomposition; Several explosions were due to shock, heat or friction; amines and certain metals can cause accelerated decomposition [Bretherick 1979 p. 156]. Danger of explosion when dry

Flammability and Explosibility

Not classified

Safety Profile

Based on available data，tert-Butyl peroxy-2-ethylhexanoate is considered to be very toxictowards aquatic organisms and is classified according to EC 1272/2008 regulation. Several tests have shown that tert-Butyl peroxy-2-ethylhexanoate is degradable by hydrolysisand also by biotic degradation in water: this substance is inherently biodegradable.As aconsequence, tert-Butyl peroxy-2-ethylhexanoate is neither PBT nor vPvB.