TBHQ

Catalog Number

HG1948330

CAS

1948-33-0

Synonyms

Tertiary butylhydroquinone;2-(1,1-Dimethylethyl)-1,4-benzenediol;2-tert-Butylhydroquinone;Hydroquinone, tert-butyl-

Molecular Weight

166.22

Molecular Formula

C10H14O2

Appearance

Solid

Application

Use as antioxidant.

Active Content

95%

Case Study

TBHQ's Oxidation Product TBBQ is a Novel, Potent Anti-Staphylococcal Agent

Ooi, N., et al. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 68.6 (2013): 1297-1304.

Aim: Determine the identity of the active antibacterial ingredient produced by food antioxidant tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) and evaluate its antibacterial effect and mechanism of action against Staphylococcus aureus.
Key Results:
· TBBQ is the Active Agent: TBHQ activity requires oxidation to tert-butylbenzoquinone (TBBQ). Activity is lost with inhibition of oxidation.
· Potent Anti-Staphylococcal Activity: TBBQ was highly active against S. aureus SH1000 (MIC = 8 mg/L) and clinical isolates (MIC90 = 16 mg/L).
· Rapid, Non-Lytic Killing: >4 log10 CFU reduction of viable cells after 6 h at 4x MIC without lysis.
· Biofilm Elimination: Biofilms were effectively cleared at 8x MIC.
· Membrane-Targeted Mode of Action: Reduced bacterial membrane integrity without interfering with macromolecular synthesis.
· Selective Toxicity: No significant hemolysis of mammalian erythrocytes at bactericidal concentrations.

Effect of TBHQ Antioxidant in Biodiesel: Contradictory Behavior as a Corrosion Inhibitor Vs. a Degradation Catalyst

Almeida, Eduardo S., et al. Fuel 90.11 (2011): 3480-3484.

Tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) is a common antioxidant additive for biodiesel fuels to improve its oxidative stability. However, its complex interactions with metal surfaces and fuel components during storage remain poorly understood. This case study examines TBHQ's conflicting behaviors in biodiesel systems: corrosion inhibition and catalytic degradation acceleration.
Key Findings:
· Corrosion Inhibition (+): TBHQ significantly reduced copper ion release from coupons vs. neat biodiesel. Mechanism: Forms protective film via copper surface adsorption.
· Accelerated Oxidation (-): Both fuels failed oxidation stability (Rancimat <6h) after 24h copper immersion. TBHQ-doped fuel degraded as rapidly as untreated biodiesel.
· TBQ Formation & Complexation: IT-TOF-MS detected substantial tert-butylquinone (TBQ) - TBHQ's oxidation product - at copper surfaces. Novel high-MW complexes formed exclusively in TBHQ-doped fuel via radical coupling between TBQ and fatty acid derivatives (confirmed by MS2).
· Paradoxical Outcome: TBHQ acts as a corrosion inhibitor for copper but oxidizes to TBQ on the metal surface, which causes a chain reaction, leading to the depletion of the antioxidant, sludge (TBQ-fatty acid complexes) and accelerated degradation of the fuel.

• Catalog Number: HG1948330
• CAS: 1948-33-0
• Synonyms: Tertiary butylhydroquinone;2-(1,1-Dimethylethyl)-1,4-benzenediol;2-tert-Butylhydroquinone;Hydroquinone, tert-butyl-
• Molecular Weight: 166.22
• Molecular Formula: C10H14O2
• Appearance: Solid
• Application: Use as antioxidant.
• Active Content: 95%