Specialty Additives Available — Bulk Only

tert-Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ)

TBHQ
CAS 1948-33-0 · Formula C10H14O2 · MW 166.22 g/mol

A high-efficiency monocyclic phenolic antioxidant, particularly effective in polyunsaturated vegetable oils. It is used to retard oxidation and rancidity in edible fats and oils (an FDA-permitted food antioxidant), is especially effective in polyunsaturated vegetable oils such as soybean oil, and is used as an antioxidant in cosmetic formulations.

Request SDS
HS Code
2907.29
At a Glance
Material Family
Specialty Additives
Record Type
Pure compound
Primary Role
Preservation
Functional Roles
TBHQ
ANTIOXIDANTFRAGRANCEPERFUMING
Applications & Use Cases
  • Food antioxidant: Retards rancidity in edible fats and oils (FDA-permitted).
  • Vegetable-oil stabilizer: Effective in polyunsaturated oils such as soybean oil.
  • Cosmetic antioxidant: Antioxidant in cosmetic formulations.
Physical Properties
Melting Point
261 to 129 °C
Boiling Point
295 °C at 760 mmHg
Density
1.05
Solubility
< 1 mg/mL at 19 °C
Vapor Pressure
< 1 mmHg at 20 °C
Flash Point
171 °C
pH
pH = 4.56 at 25 °C of a 1% solution of 2-tert-butylhydroquinone
Safety & Handling
Full SDS available on request

A grade-specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — with the complete hazard classification, handling precautions, and transport information — is supplied with every shipment and available on request. Confirm all safety and regulatory details against the SDS for your specific grade.

Request SDS →
HS / Tariff Classification
Harmonized System (HS) Code — 6-digit international heading
2907 . 29
Chapter 29
Organic chemicals
Heading 29.07
Internationally harmonized (WCO HS)
Subheading 2907.29
6-digit international code — national tariff line adds further digits
Chemical Identity
CAS Number
1948-33-0
Molecular Formula
C10H14O2
Molecular Weight
166.22 g/mol
IUPAC Name
2-tert-butylbenzene-1,4-diol
INCI Name
TBHQ
PubChem CID
InChI Key
BGNXCDMCOKJUMV-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Synonyms & Trade Names
tert-Butylhydroquinone 2-tert-Butylhydroquinone T-BUTYLHYDROQUINONE MTBHQ 2-t-Butylhydroquinone 2-tert-Butyl-1,4-benzenediol Mono-tert-butylhydroquinone Sustane Mono-tertiarybutylhydroquinone Tenox TBHQ tert-Butyl-1,4-benzenediol Banox 20BA 2-(1,1-Dimethylethyl)-1,4-benzenediol tertiary-Butylhydroquinone TBHQ Hydroquinone, tert-butyl- 1,4-Benzenediol, 2-(1,1-dimethylethyl)- 2-tert-Butyl(1,4)hydroquinone 2-tertiary-butylhydroquinone
Full Description

tert-Butylhydroquinone (CAS 1948-33-0), or TBHQ, is a phenolic antioxidant. It is used to retard oxidation and rancidity in edible fats and oils (an FDA-permitted food antioxidant), is especially effective in polyunsaturated vegetable oils such as soybean oil, and is used as an antioxidant in cosmetic formulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is TBHQ used for?

TBHQ (tert-butylhydroquinone, CAS 1948-33-0) is a phenolic antioxidant used to retard oxidation and rancidity in edible fats and oils. It is especially effective in polyunsaturated vegetable oils such as soybean oil, and is also used as an antioxidant in cosmetic formulations. RawSource supplies it in bulk to food, oil, and personal-care formulators.

What is the formula and CAS number of TBHQ?

TBHQ is tert-butylhydroquinone, CAS 1948-33-0, molecular formula C10H14O2. It is a hindered phenolic antioxidant. Identity and assay are documented on the Certificate of Analysis.

Why is TBHQ effective in vegetable oils?

As a phenolic antioxidant, TBHQ interrupts the oxidation chain reactions that cause fats and oils to go rancid, and it performs particularly well in polyunsaturated oils such as soybean oil. Dosage and suitability depend on the specific oil system and should be confirmed against your formulation.

What grades of TBHQ are available and what HS code applies?

TBHQ is offered in purified grades suitable for edible-oil antioxidant use and in grades for cosmetic formulation; specify your intended application so the correct grade and CoA are matched. It classifies under HS 2907.29 (polyphenols, other). Confirm grade and tariff line when ordering.

What is the cost of bulk TBHQ?

TBHQ pricing is volume- and grade-dependent, so we do not publish a fixed price. Send your target quantity, grade, and packaging (drums, totes, or IBCs) for a current bulk quote; CoA and SDS accompany each shipment.

Disclaimer. Information on this page — including properties, identifiers, hazard, transport (DOT/UN) and tariff (HS) classifications, and applications — is provided for general reference and is compiled from authoritative public sources (e.g. PubChem/ECHA, 49 CFR 172.101, the Harmonized Tariff Schedule). Values are typical and are not a guaranteed specification; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot purchased governs. Products are sold for industrial and professional use only. Nothing here is a medical, health, or efficacy claim or advice. Always consult the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before handling, storage, transport or disposal, and confirm regulatory status, classification and suitability for your application and jurisdiction. Hazard, transport and tariff classifications must be verified for your specific shipment. RawSource makes no warranty, express or implied, and assumes no liability for use of this information. Trademarks. Third-party trademarks and brand names are the property of their respective owners; any reference is nominative — used only to identify a comparable product — and does not imply affiliation with, sponsorship by, or endorsement by the trademark owner.