Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)

What is Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)?

Molecular Formula (Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)): C₁₅H₂₄O

Molecular Weight: 220.35 g/mol

Chemical Name: Butylated Hydroxytoluene

CAS Number: 128-37-0

It consists of the 4-Methylphenol compound modified with 2 and 6 tert-butyl compounds in organic structure.

Stable products are formed as a result of the reactions of free radicals in the presence of oxygen. This phenomenon is called autoxidation.

Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) has the ability to inhibit the autoxidation of unsaturated organic compounds. In this way, it prevents the formation of free radicals.

It is a compound in the phenol class. It is also classified as an antioxidant.

Other Names are as follows;

• Butylated hydroxytoluene
• BHT
• 2,6-Di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol
• 128-37-0
• Antioxidant
• Lonol (Antioxidant)
• Dibutylated Hydroxytoluene

How is Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) Produced?

Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) production is carried out by the alkylation of 4-Cresol with Isobutene. Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4) is used as a catalyst in this production reaction. BHT production takes place at a temperature of 70 °C.

What are the Physical and Chemical Properties?

It has a white and light yellow color as a physical appearance. It is found in crystal form.

The melting point is 71 °C.

The boiling point is 265 °C.

Its density is 1.048 g/cm³.

It has a mild phenol odor. Sometimes it has a faint musty odor.

It is insoluble in water and monopropylene glycol. It dissolves in Ethyl Alcohol, Methyl Alcohol and Isopropyl Alcohol.

BHT has less stability compared to Butylated Hydroxyanisole.

What are the Usage Areas of Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)?

• It causes lung damage in mice by inhibiting lipid peroxidation. Due to this property, it is used in the production of rodenticides.
• It is used as a preservative in the manufacture of some creams with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory properties. These creams are used for the relief of joint and muscle pain.
• It is used as an auxiliary substance in the manufacture of mosquito and insect repellents.
• Butylated Hydroxytoluene is an important component as an antioxidant in greases, oils, and cutting fluids.
• It is used in the production of substances such as flavors.
• It is used as a preservative in the manufacture of medicines produced for the treatment of inflammatory diseases occurring in animals.
• It is used as an antimicrobial chemical in the production of shampoos produced specifically for fur care.
• BHT is an antioxidant chemical with masking and preservative properties.
• It is used as a preservative chemical in food additives, feed additives, and feed storage areas.
• In Vitamin E deficiency in the body, Vitamin E tablets are produced to prevent free radicals from making nucleic acids, polyunsaturated fats, and proteins within the cell vulnerable. It is used as a preservative in these.
• When manufacturing premixes, BHT is used as a preservative along with vitamins in the feed.
• It is used in the production of Ketoconazole shampoo to prevent the growth and reproduction of fungi on the skin.
• It is used in medicines produced to inhibit liver cancer caused by Aflatoxin B1.
• It is used as an antioxidant in the cosmetics sector.
• It is used in gear oils used for maintenance of wind turbines to inhibit the autoxidation of unsaturated organic compounds. In this way, it prevents the formation of free radicals. Consequently, the life of the gear oils used in wind turbines is extended. It provides high oxidation stability to synthetic ester-based lubricating oils by preventing early oxidative degradation.
• It has excellent antioxidant capabilities.
• It is used as a preservative in the production of dry solid particulate food.
• Butylated hydroxytoluene is used as a preservative in the field of use of fat-soluble vitamins. These vitamins may include Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Vitamin D3, etc.
• It is used in the stabilization of alcoholic beverages to prevent the growth of microorganisms by creating an environment with an unsuitable pH value.
• It is used in the manufacture of oral care products in combination with Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) and Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol Acetate) and other components for the treatment of periodontal diseases.

What are the Factors Affecting Prices?

Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) is directly linked in price to the prices of chemicals used in its production. When the prices of cresol and isobutene increase, the prices of this chemical substance increase.

Butylated Hydroxytoluene prices are directly linked to the usage areas of this chemical substance. As the usage areas increase, the prices will increase as the supply-demand balance will be disrupted.

When companies selling BHT increase their stocks, prices will decrease in the short term.