Lyondell's TEBOL® 99 is a high-purity tertiary butyl alcohol. TEBOL 99 is a colorless, non-corrosive liquid with excellent solvating characteristics. TEBOL 99 finds applications as a reaction and process solvent and chemical intermediate. TEBOL 99 is miscible with water and most organic solvents. This property, combined with its excellent solvating characteristics, makes TEBOL 99 a unique solvent for many industrial processing applications. Due to its oxidative stability, tertiary butyl alcohol serves as an excellent non-reactive solvent for chemical reactions. It also serves as an ideal source for the tertiary butyl functionality in chemical synthesis.
Benefits and Applications
TEBOL 99 demonstrates superb coupling capabilities. It is miscible with water and most organics and forms azeotropes with many common solvents. Its unique solubility characteristics make TEBOL 99 attractive as a cosolvent or non-surfactant compatibilizer for many immiscable solvent blends. Stability and compatibility can be gained in some aqueous-based products by using TEBOL 99. Its addition can be significantly reduce the surface tension of water, enabling formulators to dissolve marginally water soluble ingredients into an aqueous system without generating an emulsion or a highly foaming product.
Excellent coupling and solvating properties work in conjunction with its oxidative stability and low reactivity to make TEBOL 99 an attractive solvent for many industrial processes and reactions. The tertiary alkyl structure imparts enhanced stability versus other primary and secondary alcohols. The steric hinderance of the tertiary butyl group also significantly reduces the reactivity of the hydroxyl functionality. As a result, TEBOL 99 is also useful for applications requiring noncorrosive solvents.
The high freezing point of TEBOL 99 can be an advantage for some applications. In others, a lower freezing point may be desired. Depressed freezing points can be achieved by blending low concentrations of other solvents with TEBOL 99.
The volatility of TEBOL 99 can be advantageous if low levels of residual solvent or solvent recovery are required. It has a vapor pressure higher than that of water. Drying and curing operations can be carried out faster and at lower temperatures with TEBOL 99 compared to water based systems.
The low flash point of TEBOL 99 (52° F, 11° C) may be of concern in some applications. However, if only some concentrations of TEBOL 99 are required for compatibilization in an aqueous formulation, the flash point of the entire system will not be significantly affected.
Like all tertiary butyl alcohols, TEBOL 99 is sensitive to low pH environments and will degrade to isobutylene and water under acidic conditions. Contact with strong acids or dehydrating agents, especially at elevated temperatures and for extended periods must be avoided if decomposition is undesirable. This propensity of TEBOL 99 to dehydrate has been utilized for the introduction of the tertiary butyl group into aromatic compounds and nitrogen derivatives. The same tertiary alkyl structure that causes TEBOL 99 to be susceptible to degradation allows the alkylation to occur without side reactions commonly encountered with primary and secondary alcohols.
Process Solvent:
- Reaction, extraction, crystallization solvent in processes for preperation of pharmaceuticals, agrichemicals and other fine chemicals.
- Azeotropic cosolvent for removal of unwanted residual solvents.
- Solvent or cosolvent for free radical solution, emulsion and suspension polymerization.
- Non-surfactant, non-foaming coupling aid for formulating insecticides, pesticides, weed killers and general purpose fertilizers in aqueous solutions.
Synthetic Reagent:
TEBOL 99 serves as a reagent for the synthesis of specialty products including pharmaceuticals, agrichemicals, flavors and fragrances, dyes and other fine chemicals.
TEBOL 99 can act as a reversible capping agent for isocyanates in polyurethane synthesis. The blocked isocyanates are liberated at higher temperatures to react readily with polyols. Capped isocyanates find applications in coatings formulations and as resins used in molding articles.
TEBOL 99 reacts to form a wide variety of tertiary butyl alkyl peroxides. These high performance peroxides act as free radical initiators for many different polymerization reactions. The potassium and lithium salts of TEBOL 99 are well known as basic, non-nucleophilic alkoxides utilized as catalysts for many reactions.
Stabilizer:
TEBOL 99 is an effective, valued component of stabilizer packages particularly 1,1,1,-trichloroethane and methylene chloride. Its volatility and ability to form azeotropes provide particular advantages. TEBOL 99 stabilizes chlorinated hydrocarbons by two mechanisms:
- Complex reactive metal species
- Consuming hydrochloric acid
Denaturant for Ethanol:
TEBOL 99 is an approved denaturant utilized in SDA 40 Alcohol.
Toxicology/Regulatory
TEBOL 99 has a low order of acute toxicity and has not demonstrated any genotoxic potential in tests for potential to damage the DNA (genotoxicity) of cells in culture. It did not cause any adverse effects.
NOTE: This toxicology information is incomplete and is intended to serve only as a summary. Lyondell's Material Safety Data Sheet and Product Safety Bulletin should be requested for detailed regulatory information.
- TEBOL 99 in not listed as a hazardous substance under CERLA(US)
- TEBOL 99 is defined by Title III os SARA. Sections 311/312(US) as an immediate (acute) health hazard and as a fire hazard; and by Section 313 as a toxic chemical. TEBOL 99 is subject to the community right-to-know provisions of 40 CFR 370(US) and 40 CFR 372(US).
- TEBOL 99 is on the (US) TSCA list and the EEC EINECS, Canadian DSL, and on the Australian, Korean and Japanese chemical inventories.
Storage and Handling
Lyondell's material safety data sheet (MSDS) contains detailed information and recommendations pertinent to the safe handling of TEBOL 99.
TEBOL 99 is a stable material. However, storage in tightly closed, properly vented containers away from sparks, open flames, strong mineral acids, dehydrating and oxidizing agents is necessary. TEBOL 99 is hygroscopic. To maintain low water content, excessive exposure to atmospheric moisture should be guarded against. Storage under a nitrogen blanket is recommended. Store in properly lined steel or stainless steel to avoid slight discoloration from mild steel or copper.
The practice of Lyondell is to use carbon steel or stainless steel storage tanks and transportation vessels. Based on literature available through the polymer industry, TEBOL 99 is compatible with EPDM, Buna N* and Neoprene. Polyacrylates, nylon and cellular acetate polymers should be avoided according to some polymer manufacturers. Information from material suppliers and specific conditions of contact should be considered in selection of suitable materials.
TEBOL 99 solidifies (as a crystalline form) at or just below room temperature (76° F, 24.5° C). Storage tanks should therefore be insulated and steam heated. Transfer lines and pumps should also be heated and emptied after use. Frozen material should be thawed by moving to a location warmer than 76° F, 24.5° C. However, high skin temperatures (> 130° F) and extended periods of heating should be avoided. Ground all containers before beginning transfer. Electrical equipment should conform to the National Electric Code.
TEBOL 99 has a low flash point (52° F, 11° C) and is a fire hazard. Flammable vapors may be generated by the solid products. Heat, sparks, and open flame should be avoided.
TEBOL 99 should be stored in a fireproof, well-ventilated area. Alcohol foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide extinguisher should be applied to eliminate fires. Handle empty containers carefully. Flammable residue remains after emptying.
In the Event of a Spill or Leak
Shut off all ignition sources. For small spills, absorb the material with inert solids such as vermiculite. Use non-sparking tools to collect. If a large spill occurs, equip cleaning personnel with the proper protective clothing. Dike and impound the spilled material for recovery and/or recycle.