2-Methyl-2-butanol (tert-Amyl Alcohol, TAA)
1. Basic Identification
Chemical Name: 2-Methylbutan-2-ol
Common Name: tert-Amyl alcohol, Tertiary amyl alcohol, TAA
Synonyms: Dimethylethylcarbinol, 2-Methyl-2-butanol
EINECS No.: 209-667-8
MDL No.: MFCD00004460
Molecular Formula: \(\boldsymbol{C_5H_{12}O}\)
Molecular Weight: 88.15
SMILES: CCC(C)(C)O
UN Number: UN 1105
HS Code: 2905199090
Hazard Classification: Class 3 Highly Flammable Liquid, Packing Group II
Chemical Category: Tertiary aliphatic alcohol, high-purity solvent, pharmaceutical extractant, pesticide intermediate, gasoline octane booster raw material, dehydration feedstock for isoamylene
2. Physical & Chemical Properties
Appearance
Colorless transparent mobile liquid with mild camphor-like odor, volatile under normal temperature.
Physical Constants
| Parameter | Standard Value | Remarks |
| Melting Point | -9 ℃ | Slightly low melting point, may turn turbid in cold environment |
| Boiling Point | 101–103 ℃ (760 mmHg) | Medium boiling point, easy distillation recovery |
| Density (20 ℃) | 0.805–0.808 g/mL | Lighter than water, floats on water layer |
| Refractive Index \(n_{20/D}\) | 1.405–1.407 | Core purity test index |
| Closed Cup Flash Point | -5 ℃ | Extremely flammable, low ignition energy |
| Autoignition Temperature | 430 ℃ |
|
| Explosion Limit in Air (V/V) | 1.2% ~ 9.0% | Wide flammable range, explosion risk in closed space |
| Vapor Pressure (20 ℃) | 4.0 kPa | Vapor heavier than air, accumulates in low-lying areas |
| Water Solubility | 12 g/100 mL | Partial miscibility with water, forms azeotrope with water |
| Organic Miscibility | Fully miscible with ethanol, acetone, esters, aromatic/aliphatic hydrocarbons, ethers |
|
Core Chemical Characteristics
- Typical tertiary alcohol structure
The hydroxyl group attaches to a fully substituted carbon; dehydration under acid catalysis produces 2-methyl-2-butene (isoamylene), key olefin monomer. - Esterification reactivity
Reacts with carboxylic acids to synthesize tert-amyl ester solvents, plasticizers, perfume raw materials. - Etherification reaction
Condenses with methanol to make tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME), high-efficiency gasoline octane booster to reduce vehicle exhaust emissions. - Weakly polar inert solvent
Compatible with organometallic reagents, used for low-temperature extraction of natural alkaloids and drug intermediates, low residue after vacuum recovery. - Incompatible hazardous materials
Strong oxidants, concentrated strong acids, alkali metals, chlorine, bromine, peroxide initiators.
3. Export Industrial Quality Specifications
Premium Synthetic Grade ≥99.0% (Mainstream Export)
| Test Item | Standard Spec | Test Method |
| 2-Methyl-2-butanol Assay | ≥99.0 % | GC-FID Gas Chromatography |
| Isoamyl alcohol / other amyl alcohol impurities | ≤0.30 % | GC |
| Moisture Content | ≤0.05 % | Karl Fischer Titration |
| Free Acid | ≤0.005 % | Potentiometric titration |
| Color (APHA) | ≤10 | Platinum-Cobalt Colorimetry |
| Distillate 100–104 ℃ | ≥95 vol% | Atmospheric distillation test |
| Appearance | Colorless clear liquid without turbidity or suspended impurities | Visual Inspection |
Anhydrous Ultra-Dry Grade ≥99.5%
Moisture <15 ppm, nitrogen sealed packaging, exclusively used for anhydrous pharmaceutical extraction and organometallic synthesis.
4. Main Industrial Applications
4.1 Fuel Additive Raw Material (Largest Consumption)
- Feedstock for producing TAME (tert-amyl methyl ether), clean gasoline oxygenate additive to raise octane value, lower CO and hydrocarbon exhaust emissions.
- High-octane blending component for unleaded gasoline.
4.2 Fine Chemical & Pharmaceutical Industry (High-Value Field)
- Azeotropic extraction solvent for natural plant alkaloids, herbal extracts, antibiotic intermediates; easy separation from water phase and recyclable by distillation.
- Reaction solvent for asymmetric synthesis, Grignard and low-temperature condensation reactions.
- Synthetic intermediate for pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and pharmaceutical APIs via esterification, halogenation and dehydration.
4.3 Coating, Ink & Resin Industry
- Slow-evaporating solvent for nitrocellulose coatings, printing inks and paint thinners, excellent leveling and gloss performance.
- Diluent for polyurethane and acrylic resins, improves film anti-blushing property under high humidity construction.
4.4 Olefin Raw Material
Acid-catalyzed dehydration to produce isoamylene (2-methyl-2-butene), monomer for synthetic rubber, polyolefin copolymers and fine chemical synthesis.
5. Toxicology, Health Hazards & First Aid
Toxicity Profile
- Acute Oral LD50 (Rat) >2000 mg/kg (Category 4, harmful if swallowed)
- Dermal hazard: Moderate skin degreaser; long-term continuous contact causes dry, cracked skin and mild erythema.
- Inhalation hazard: High-concentration vapor induces dizziness, headache, lethargy and mild respiratory tract irritation.
- Eye hazard: Liquid splashing leads to stinging pain and conjunctival congestion.
- Environmental hazard: Harmful to aquatic organisms with long-term toxic risks.
Exposure Symptoms
- Inhalation of vapor: Mild throat irritation, fatigue, drowsiness under high concentration vapor exposure.
- Skin contact: Dry tight skin, itching and chapping after prolonged contact.
- Eye splash: Temporary burning pain, blurred vision and red eyes.
- Oral ingestion: Mild abdominal distension, nausea without severe corrosive damage.
Complete First-Aid Procedures
- Inhalation: Transfer victim to fully ventilated fresh air for rest; supply oxygen if breathing difficulty occurs.
- Skin Contact: Immediately remove contaminated clothing, continuously rinse affected skin with plenty of running cold water for ≥15 minutes.
- Eye Contact: Force open eyelids, flush eyes with abundant clean cold water non-stop for more than 15 minutes.
- Oral Intake: DO NOT induce vomiting; drink large volumes of clean water/milk for dilution and seek medical attention if discomfort persists.
6. Storage, Handling & Incompatibility Rules
Mandatory Storage Conditions
- Warehouse classification: Special Class 3 highly flammable liquid explosion-proof warehouse, isolated from oxidants, concentrated acids, food and feed raw materials.
- Temperature control: Ambient storage ≤25 ℃, light-shaded to reduce volatilization vapor buildup.
- Sealing requirement: Carbon steel drums sealed with PTFE gaskets; nitrogen blanketing recommended for long-term stock; warehouse equipped with flammable vapor leakage alarm.
- Static control: All transfer pipelines and pallets static grounded; only non-sparking copper tools permitted for loading/unloading.
- Shelf life: 12 months under original intact sealed packaging.
Strictly Separated Incompatible Materials
Potassium permanganate, hydrogen peroxide, concentrated sulfuric acid/hydrochloric acid, sodium metal, potassium metal, edible raw materials.
Safe Operation Specifications
- Operators wear nitrile solvent-resistant gloves, impact safety goggles and anti-static overalls; activated carbon organic vapor respirator required in poorly ventilated closed workshops.
- No open flame, smoking or static sparks within 10-meter operation radius.
- Small leakage: Absorb with dry inert sand, collect waste into sealed hazardous waste metal barrels; prohibit direct discharge into sewers.
- Large leakage: Build sand retaining dikes to contain liquid, force ventilation to disperse flammable vapor, prevent infiltration into soil and water bodies.
7. Export Packaging & Global Transportation Regulations
Standard Export Packaging Modes
- Industrial bulk grade: 200L carbon steel sealed drum with PTFE anti-leak gaskets
- Medium batch goods: 25L plastic-lined iron drum
- Lab anhydrous reagent package: 1L / 5L brown light-proof plastic bottle with outer shockproof carton
- Large-volume ocean shipment: 20ft stainless steel ISO tank container with static grounding device
UN Transport Compliance Rules
UN 1105, Class 3 Highly Flammable Liquid, Packing Group II
- Road transport: Vehicles fitted with exhaust flame arrestors, dual dry powder & CO₂ fire extinguishers, ventilated cargo compartment.
- Ocean shipment: Comply with IMDG flammable liquid dangerous goods standards; affix flammable hazard labels on every drum, stacking height ≤2 layers.
- Loading ban: Mixed loading with oxidants, strong acids, edible goods and metal powders in one container is strictly forbidden.
Full Export Document Package
- Batch Certificate of Analysis (COA)
- GHS-compliant MSDS / SDS
- Technical Data Sheet (TDS)
- Marine Dangerous Goods Declaration
- REACH Compliance Registration Report
8. GHS Global Hazard Label Statements
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements:
H225 Highly flammable liquid and vapor
H315 Causes skin irritation
H319 Causes serious eye irritation
H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness
H412 Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Precautionary Statements:
P210 Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames, hot surfaces – No smoking
P261 Avoid breathing vapor/mist
P280 Wear protective gloves and eye protection
P305+P351+P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes
P403+P235 Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep cool and tightly sealed.
9. Fire Emergency Disposal Plan
Approved Fire Extinguishing Agents
- Primary: Dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide (CO₂)
- Auxiliary: Alcohol-resistant foam fire extinguishing agent
Forbidden Agents
Direct high-pressure water jet (liquid floats on water surface and spreads flammable vapor range to expand fire risk)
Fire Site Operation Steps
- Evacuate all personnel to upwind safe zone, isolate fire area and cut all ignition sources.
- Continuously cool surrounding tert-amyl alcohol drums with water mist to prevent thermal expansion rupture and volatile vapor leakage.
- Collect all fire residual waste liquid and solid as hazardous waste for centralized incineration treatment; prohibit direct discharge into water bodies.
10. Printable Export COA Template
CERTIFICATE OF ANALYSIS
Product Name: 2-Methyl-2-butanol (tert-Amyl Alcohol, TAA)
CAS No.: 590-02-3
Grade: Export Industrial Synthetic Grade
Batch No.: ____________
Net Weight: 200kg/drum
Manufacture Date: ____________
| Test Item | Standard Spec | Test Result | Test Method |
| Tert-Amyl Alcohol Purity | ≥99.0 % |
| GC Gas Chromatography |
| Other Amyl Alcohol Impurities | ≤0.30 % |
| GC |
| Moisture Content | ≤0.05 % |
| Karl Fischer Titration |
| Free Acid | ≤0.005 % |
| Potentiometric Titration |
| Color (APHA) | ≤10 |
| Platinum-Cobalt Colorimetry |
| Appearance | Colorless clear liquid without turbidity or sediment | Visual Inspection |
|
Conclusion: This batch complies with export industrial standard of 2-Methyl-2-butanol (tert-Amyl Alcohol).
Inspector Signature: ____________
Issuance Date: ____________
11. E-commerce Listing Copy (Alibaba / Echemi Direct Use)
Product Title
2-Methyl-2-butanol tert-Amyl Alcohol TAA CAS 590-02-3 99% Highly Flammable Tertiary Alcohol Raw Material for TAME Gasoline Octane Booster Isoamylene Pharmaceutical Extraction Solvent Pesticide Intermediate
Short Description
2-Methyl-2-butanol (C₅H₁₂O, CAS 590-02-3) ≥99% colorless volatile tertiary amyl alcohol liquid. Main feedstock for TAME gasoline additive and isoamylene olefin; also widely used as pharmaceutical plant extractant and coating slow-evaporating solvent. Full set of UN1105 Class 3 flammable dangerous goods export documents COA, MSDS and TDS available for global bulk drum shipment.
Full Description
2-Methyl-2-butanol (tert-amyl alcohol, TAA) is a low-molecular-weight tertiary aliphatic alcohol fine chemical, supplied as colorless transparent liquid with GC purity ≥99.0%. Its unique tertiary alcohol structure enables two core industrial reactions: etherification to produce TAME fuel additive and acid dehydration to generate isoamylene monomer, supporting large-scale fuel and polymer industrial chains. Meanwhile, its moderate polarity and partial water miscibility make it a universal extraction solvent in pharmaceutical and botanical processing industries.
Core downstream application sectors: raw material for tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME) gasoline octane booster; dehydration feedstock for 2-methyl-2-butene synthetic rubber monomer; liquid-liquid extraction solvent for herbal alkaloids and antibiotic drug intermediates; slow-evaporating leveling solvent for nitrocellulose paint and printing ink; esterification intermediate for pesticide, perfume and plasticizer production. We supply standard industrial synthetic grade and ultra-dry anhydrous special grade for water-free pharmaceutical synthesis processes.
Packed in sealed anti-rust steel drums for full-container sea freight. Classified UN1105 Class 3 highly flammable liquid dangerous goods, we provide complete IMDG transport, customs clearance and REACH compliance certificates for stable long-term global supply to fuel additive factories, pharmaceutical extraction plants and fine chemical manufacturers.
