tert-Butyl peroxyisobutyrate

The Uses of tert-Butyl peroxyisobutyrate

Polymerization catalyst.

General Description

tert-Butyl peroxyisobutyrate is particularly sensitive to temperature rises. Above a given "Control Temperature" they decompose violently. tert-Butyl peroxyisobutyrate is generally stored or transported in a solvent slurry. Solvent is usually benzene. Responders must regard hazards of the peroxide as well as the benzene solvent.

Reactivity Profile

TERT-BUTYL PEROXYISOBUTYRATE explodes with great violence when rapidly heated to a critical temperature; pure form is shock sensitive and detonable [Bretherick 1979 p. 602].

Hazard

Flammable, dangerous fire risk. Oxidizing agent.

Flammability and Explosibility

Not classified

Purification Methods

After diluting 90mL of the material with 120mL of pet ether, the mixture is cooled to 5o and shaken twice with 90mL portions of 5% NaOH solution (also at 5o). The non-aqueous layer, after washing once with cold water, is dried at 0o with a mixture of anhydrous MgSO4 and MgCO3 containing ca 40% MgO. After filtering, this material is passed, twice, through a column of silica gel at 0o (to remove tert-butyl hydroperoxide). The solution is then evaporated at 0o/0.5-1mm to remove the solvent, and the residue is recrystallised several times from pet ether at -60o, then subjected to high vacuum to remove traces of solvent [Milos & Golubovic J Am Chem Soc 80 5994 1958]. Handle with adequate protection due to possible EXPLOSIVE nature.