Tert-Butyl hydroperoxide is used as an initiator for radical polymerization and in various oxidation process such as sharpless epoxidation. It is involved in osmium catalyzed vicinal hydroxylation of olefins under alkaline conditions. Furthermore, it is used in catalytic asymmetric oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides using binaphthol as a chiral auxiliary and in the oxidation of dibenzothiophenes. It plays an important role for the introduction of peroxy groups in organic synthesis. TBHP is an intermediate in the production of propylene oxide and t-butyl alcohol from isobutane and propylene. It is primarily used as an initiator and finishing catalyst in the solution and emulsion polymerization methods for polystyrene and polyacrylates. Other uses are for the polymerization of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate and as an oxidation and sulfonation catalyst in bleaching and deodorizing operations. It is a strong oxidant and reacts violently with combustible and reducing materials, and metallic and sulfur compounds.
Tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) is produced by the liquid-phase reaction of isobutane and molecular oxygen or by mixing equimolar amounts of t-butyl alcohol and 30–50% hydrogen peroxide. TBHP can also be prepared from t-butyl alcohol and 30% hydrogen peroxide in the presence of sulfuric acid or by oxidation of tert-butylmagnesium chloride. The manufacturing process of TBHP is in a closed system.
