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tert-Butanol

Athanor · official

C4H10O · 74.12 g/mol

IUPAC name: 2-methylpropan-2-ol

Also called t-BuOH, tert-butyl alcohol, trimethylcarbinol

Open in Athanor
The structure of tert-Butanol
Drawn from its SMILES with RDKit320
FlammableHarmful or irritantDangerHighly Flammable liquid and vapor · Causes serious eye irritation · Harmful if inhaled · May cause respiratory irritation

Names and identifiers

IUPAC name
2-methylpropan-2-ol
Synonyms
t-BuOH, tert-butyl alcohol, trimethylcarbinol
+ 37 more

tert-Butyl alcohol, 2-Methylpropan-2-ol, 2-Methyl-2-propanol, t-Butanol, T-BUTYL ALCOHOL, 1,1-Dimethylethanol, Trimethylcarbinol, t-Butyl hydroxide, Trimethyl carbinol, Trimethyl methanol, Tertiary-Butyl Alcohol, Trimethylmethanol, Butanol tertiaire, 2-Propanol, 2-methyl-, Arconol, Alcool butylique tertiaire, tertiary butanol, Methanol, trimethyl-, tertiary Butyl Alcohol, tert Butanol, t-Butyl alchohol, tert Butyl Alcohol, NCI-C55367, Alcohol, tert-Butyl, t-Butylalkohol, MD83SFE959, DTXSID8020204, CHEBI:45895, t Butanol, Alcohol, tertiary-Butyl, RefChem:188197, DTXCID40204, 200-889-7, tert-butylalcohol, tert- butyl alcohol, Dimethylethanol, tertiary-Butanol

Molecular formula
C4H10O
Empirical formula
C4H10O
Molecular weight
74.12 g/mol
Exact mass
74.07316
CAS number
75-65-0
PubChem CID
6386
Canonical SMILES
CC(C)(C)O
Isomeric SMILES
CC(C)(C)O
InChI
InChI=1S/C4H10O/c1-4(2,3)5/h5H,1-3H3
InChIKey
DKGAVHZHDRPRBM-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Molfile

Names, InChI and the identifiers from PubChem, retrieved 2026-10-14.

Physical properties

TemperaturePressureDensity
Appearance
Colorless liquid or rhombic prisms or plates[6]
8 values

From Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB), the most authoritative source here.

ValueAs writtenSource
–Tert-butyl alcohol is a colorless oily liquid with a sharp alcohol odor. Floats and mixes with water. Produces irritating vapor. Freezing point is 78 °F. (USCG, 1999)[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites U.S. Coast Guard. 1999. Chemical Hazard Response Information System (CHRIS) - Hazardous Chemical Data. Commandant Instruction 16465.12C. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
–Liquid; Other Solid; Wet Solid[2] EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
–COLOURLESS LIQUID OR CRYSTALLINE POWDER WITH CHARACTERISTIC ODOUR.[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
–Colorless solid or liquid (above 77 °F) with a camphor-like odor.[4] Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
–Colorless solid or liquid (above 77 °F) with a camphor-like odor. [Note: Often used in aqueous solutions.][5] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
–A colorless liquid, which forms rhombic crystals melting at 25 to 25.5 °C[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Snyder, R. (ed.). Ethel Browning's Toxicity and Metabolism of Industrial Solvents. Second Edition. Volume 3 Alcohols and Esters. New York, NY: Elsevier, 1992., p. 65
–shownColorless liquid or rhombic prisms or plates[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Lewis, R.J. Sr. (ed) Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 11th Edition. Wiley-Interscience, Wiley & Sons, Inc. Hoboken, NJ. 2004., p. V2: 602
–Colorless liquid or solid (above 77 °F) [Note: Often used in aqueous solutions].[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2010-168 (2010). Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg
Odor
Camphor-like odor[6]
Melting point
25.5 °C[7]
5 values

5 of 5 sources agree on it (most common value).

ValueAs writtenSource
25.5 °C77.9 °F (NTP, 1992)[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites National Toxicology Program, Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health (NTP). 1992. National Toxicology Program Chemical Repository Database. Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
25 °C25 °C[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
26 °C78 °F[4] Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
25.5 °Cshown25.5 °C[7] PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy
26 °C78 °F[5] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Boiling point
82.8 °C @760 [mmHg][7]
5 values

5 of 5 sources agree on it (most common value).

ValueAs writtenSource
82 °C180 °F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992)[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites National Toxicology Program, Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health (NTP). 1992. National Toxicology Program Chemical Repository Database. Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
83 °C83 °C[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
82 °C180 °F[4] Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
82.8 °Cshown82.8 °C @760 [mm Hg][7] PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy
82 °C180 °F[5] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Density
0.781 @25 °C[7]
5 values

5 of 5 sources agree on it (most common value).

ValueAs writtenSource
–0.78 at 78.8 °F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites U.S. Coast Guard. 1999. Chemical Hazard Response Information System (CHRIS) - Hazardous Chemical Data. Commandant Instruction 16465.12C. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
–Relative density (water = 1): 0.8[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
–0.78 at 78.8 °F[4] Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
–shown0.781 @25 °C[7] PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy
–0.79 (Solid)[5] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Solubility in water
Solubility in water: miscible[3]
4 values

From ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs), the most authoritative source here.

ValueAs writtenSource
–greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 70 °F (NTP, 1992)[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites National Toxicology Program, Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health (NTP). 1992. National Toxicology Program Chemical Repository Database. Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
–In water, 1X10+6 mg/L at 25 °C /Miscible/[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Riddick, J.A., W.B. Bunger, Sakano T.K. Techniques of Chemistry 4th ed., Volume II. Organic Solvents. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons., 1985.
–shownSolubility in water: miscible[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
–Miscible[5] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
log P
0.3[3]
2 values

Sources disagree; from ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs), the most authoritative.

ValueAs writtenSource
–log Kow = 0.35[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Hansch, C., Leo, A., D. Hoekman. Exploring QSAR - Hydrophobic, Electronic, and Steric Constants. Washington, DC: American Chemical Society., 1995., p. 10
–shown0.3[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
pKa
pKa = 19.20[6]
Vapor pressure
40.7 mmHg at 25 °C[6]
7 values

2 of 5 sources agree on it (most common value).

ValueAs writtenSource
31 mmHg31 mmHg at 68 °F[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites National Toxicology Program, Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health (NTP). 1992. National Toxicology Program Chemical Repository Database. Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
42 mmHg42 mmHg at 77 °F[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites National Toxicology Program, Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health (NTP). 1992. National Toxicology Program Chemical Repository Database. Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
56 mmHg56 mmHg at 86 °F (NTP, 1992)[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites National Toxicology Program, Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health (NTP). 1992. National Toxicology Program Chemical Repository Database. Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
40.7 mmHgshown40.7 mm Hg at 25 °C[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Daubert, T.E., R.P. Danner. Physical and Thermodynamic Properties of Pure Chemicals Data Compilation. Washington, D.C.: Taylor and Francis, 1989.
31 mmHgVapor pressure, kPa at 20 °C: 4.1[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
42 mmHg42 mmHg at 77 °F[4] Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
40 mmHg40 [mm Hg] @24.5 °C[7] PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy

1 more value was reported but failed the checks (unreadable or out of range), so it is not shown.

Flash point
11 °C c.c.[3]
5 values

5 of 5 sources agree on it (most common value).

ValueAs writtenSource
11 °C52 °F (NTP, 1992)[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites National Toxicology Program, Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health (NTP). 1992. National Toxicology Program Chemical Repository Database. Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
11 °C52 °F (11 °C) (Closed cup)[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites National Fire Protection Association; Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous Materials. 14TH Edition, Quincy, MA 2010, p. 325-23
11 °Cshown11 °C c.c.[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
11 °C52 °F[4] Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
11 °C52 °F[5] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Autoignition temperature
470 °C[3]
3 values

Sources disagree; from ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs), the most authoritative.

ValueAs writtenSource
480 °C896 °F (USCG, 1999)[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites U.S. Coast Guard. 1999. Chemical Hazard Response Information System (CHRIS) - Hazardous Chemical Data. Commandant Instruction 16465.12C. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
478 °C892 °F (478 °C)[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites National Fire Protection Association; Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous Materials. 14TH Edition, Quincy, MA 2010, p. 325-23
470 °Cshown470 °C[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

Each value as its source reports it, with the source's number after it (listed under References). Where several sources report a property, the row shows the value most of them agree on, the rule the app uses; open the values to see every one.

Calculated

Heavy atoms
5
Rings
0
Aromatic rings
0
Fraction sp³ carbons (Fsp3)
1
H-bond donors
1
H-bond acceptors
1
Rotatable bonds
0
TPSA (Ų)
20.2
Formal charge
0
XLogP3
0.5 PubChem
Complexity
25 PubChem
Stereocenters
None
Double-bond geometry
None specified
Point group
Cs of one 3D conformer with its hydrogens, by Athanor’s engine (as in the app)

Elemental analysis

  • C64.82%
  • H13.60%
  • O21.58%

Isotope pattern

100%74.0734.5%75.07776.078

Each peak is a nominal mass with its abundance-weighted exact mass, as a percentage of the tallest, from IUPAC natural isotope abundances.

Computed from the structure with RDKit 2026.09 when this page was built, beside PubChem's own computed values from its record; where the two differ, both are shown.

Predicted

log P
0.78 Crippen (Wildman and Crippen 1999)
log S (water solubility)
-0.79 ESOL (Delaney 2004), log mol/L
Synthetic accessibility
2.01 SA score, 1 easy to 10 hard (Ertl and Schuffenhauer 2009)

Drug-likeness: Lipinski’s rule of five

  • Molecular weight ≤ 500: 74.12
  • log P ≤ 5 (Crippen): 0.78
  • H-bond donors ≤ 5: 1
  • H-bond acceptors ≤ 10: 1

Passes all four rules.

¹³C NMR shifts, predicted

Predictions, not measurements; each names its method. A measured log P, where a source reports one, is under Physical properties.

Safety

Danger

Harmonized EU classification (CLP Annex VI). Source [8].

  • Flammable
  • Harmful or irritant
320
NFPA 704[6]
  • H225Highly Flammable liquid and vapor
  • H319Causes serious eye irritation
  • H332Harmful if inhaled
  • H335May cause respiratory irritation

Precautionary statements: P210, P233, P240, P241, P242, P243, P261, P264+P265, P271, P280, P303+P361+P353, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P317, P319, P337+P317, P370+P378, P403+P233, P403+P235, P405, P501

View all classifications (3)
  • [8] Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council · DangerH225, H319, H332, H335
  • [9] European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for < 0.1% (1 of 3040) of reports.
  • [9] European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) · 3,040 reports · DangerH319, H335

Exposure limits

  • PEL-TWA (8-Hour Time Weighted Average): 100 ppm (300 mg/m³)[4]
  • PEL: TWA 100 ppm (300 mg/m3) See Appendix G[5]
  • REL-STEL (Short Term Exposure Limit): 150 ppm (450 mg/m³)[4]
  • REL: TWA 100 ppm (300 mg/m3) ST 150 ppm (450 mg/m3)[5]
  • TLV: 100 ppm as TWA; A4 (not classifiable as a human carcinogen).[3]
  • IDLH: 1600 ppm (NIOSH, 2024)[1]

First aid

  • Eyes: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. Immediately transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop. Skin: Immediately flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing.[1]
  • (General first aid procedures) Eye: Irrigate immediately - If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately. Skin: Water flush promptly - If this chemical contacts the skin, flush the contaminated skin with water promptly. If this chemical penetrates the clothing, immediately remove the clothing and flush the skin with water promptly.[5]
  • Fresh air, rest. Refer for medical attention.[3]
  • Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower.[3]

Storage

  • Fireproof. Separated from strong oxidants and strong acids.[3]
  • Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.[6]

Incompatibilities

  • Incompatible with oxidizing materials, H2O2.[6]
  • The preparation of di tertiary butyl peroxide by addn of tertiary butyl alcohol to mixture of hydrogen peroxide and sulfuric acid (2 to 1 wt ratio of 78% sulfuric acid to 50% hydrogen peroxide) has resulted in severe explosions particularly during early stages of large batches.[6]
  • Contact of a potassium sodium alloy with tert-butanol caused ignition.[6]
  • Strong mineral acids can cause decomposition to flammable isobutylene gas.[6]

Safety data sheets on the supplier’s page: SynHet - Synthetic Heterocycles, MP Biomedicals, Chem-Impex.

Always read the supplier’s safety data sheet before working with it.

Spectra

Experimental spectra held by these sources; each link opens the source's own record.

Literature

Reading PubChem, OpenAlex and GSRS…

Bioactivity

Reading ChEMBL…

References

  1. [1]CAMEO Chemicals · Public domain (NOAA) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  2. [2]EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) · Public domain (US EPA) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  3. [3]ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs) · CC BY 4.0 · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  4. [4]Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) · Public domain (US DOL) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  5. [5]The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) · Public domain (US CDC) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  6. [6]Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) · Public domain (US NLM) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  7. [7]PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy · Public domain (US DOE) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  8. [8]Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council · EU reuse policy, CC BY 4.0 · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  9. [9]European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) · ECHA legal notice: reuse with acknowledgement · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  10. [10]NMRShiftDB · Linked only · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  11. [11]SpectraBase · Linked only · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  12. [12]Human Metabolome Database (HMDB) · Linked only · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  13. [13]MassBank of North America (MoNA) · CC BY 4.0 · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  14. [14]NIST Mass Spectrometry Data Center · Linked only · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  15. [15]MassBank Europe · Linked only · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  16. ·Calculated values: computed by Athanor with RDKit 2026.09 from the structure.
  17. ·Literature on PubChem

Data last updated 2026-10-14.