Product Overview
Tert Butyl Acetate (TBA) is a colorless, flammable organic solvent carried as a reagent grade product. It is identified by CAS number 540-88-5 and classified under DOT as a Class 3 flammable liquid (per 49 CFR 172.101). TBA is valued across coatings, adhesives, ink, and chemical-processing operations for its solvency characteristics and moderate evaporation profile. Alliance Chemical offers this product in sizes from quarts through 55-gallon drums, supporting both bench-scale evaluation and full production use.
Why This Grade
Reagent grade designates a procurement tier that buyers in quality-controlled environments typically specify. Operations running analytical sample preparation, process development, or formulation validation commonly require reagent grade solvents because those workflows depend on lot-level documentation — specifically a Certificate of Analysis (COA) that travels with the shipment. When your downstream QC protocol calls for traceable solvent sourcing, reagent grade is the line item that satisfies that requirement on the purchase order.
If your application is a high-volume production wash or a bulk carrier solvent where lot documentation is less critical, a technical or industrial grade may be a more economical fit. For operations where the reagent grade distinction matters — coatings QC labs, ink formulation benches, extraction workflows with auditable inputs — this is the grade to specify.
Chemical Profile
Tert Butyl Acetate has the molecular formula C6H12O2 and a molecular weight of 116.16 g/mol. It presents as a colorless liquid with a fruity odor. The material is less dense than water at 0.8665 at 68 °F and floats on the surface — an important detail for spill response planning. TBA is insoluble in water. Its vapor pressure of 47.0 mmHg at ambient conditions means it generates appreciable vapor at room temperature, which drives both its utility as a fast-evaporating solvent and its flammability hazard. The vapors are irritating, reinforcing the need for adequate ventilation in any workspace where TBA is dispensed or used.
Industrial Applications
TBA fills a specific niche as a solvent across several production environments:
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Coatings and paints. TBA dissolves film-forming resins and controls viscosity during application. Its evaporation rate lets formulators tune flash-off time in spray and roll-coat lines, influencing leveling and final film quality.
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Adhesives. In adhesive compounding, TBA acts as a carrier solvent that wets substrate surfaces and then evaporates cleanly, leaving the bonding polymer behind. Formulators use it to adjust open time and initial tack.
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Inks. Printing ink producers use TBA to set viscosity and drying behavior. The solvent's evaporation profile helps balance print definition against drying speed on press.
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Extraction and chemical processing. TBA serves as an extraction solvent for isolating target compounds from mixtures. Its water immiscibility makes it practical for liquid-liquid extraction steps where the extract phase must separate cleanly from an aqueous layer.
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Organic synthesis. TBA functions as an intermediate and reaction solvent in synthesis routes, particularly in pharmaceutical and fine-chemical manufacturing where a volatile, non-aqueous medium is needed.
Handling & Storage
TBA carries the signal word Danger and the hazard statement H225: Highly flammable liquid and vapor (per the product's GHS classification). Treat it accordingly at every step from receipt to dispensing.
Store TBA in a cool, well-ventilated area, away from heat sources, open flame, and direct sunlight. Use containers made of HDPE or glass that are compatible with flammable organic solvents. Keep the product sealed when not in active use to limit vapor accumulation. Avoid contact with strong oxidizing agents and strong acids — these are the primary incompatibilities.
Operators should wear chemical-resistant gloves, splash-proof safety goggles, and use local exhaust ventilation or a fume hood when pouring or transferring. The vapor pressure of 47.0 mmHg means TBA generates a meaningful vapor cloud at room temperature; do not rely on general room ventilation alone in enclosed spaces. Ground and bond containers during transfer to prevent static discharge ignition.
Hazmat & Shipping
Tert Butyl Acetate is regulated for transport as a hazardous material. The governing classification:
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UN Number: UN1123 (per 49 CFR 172.101)
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Hazard Class: 3 — Flammable Liquid (per 49 CFR 172.101)
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Packing Group: II (per 49 CFR 172.101)
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Proper Shipping Name: Butyl acetates (per 49 CFR 172.101)
Every outbound shipment from our Taylor, TX facility is packaged, marked, labeled, and documented in accordance with 49 CFR requirements. Shipping papers and hazard labels are prepared by trained hazmat personnel.
Documentation
A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) ships with every order. SDS documents are available in English, Spanish, French, and Japanese. A lot-specific Certificate of Analysis (COA) is also provided, documenting the analytical data for the specific lot you receive. If you need documentation ahead of your order — for EHS review, import clearance, or customer qualification — contact us and we will send it.
Why Buy from Alliance Chemical
This product ships as a Class 3 flammable liquid under UN1123, Packing Group II — every order leaves our dock with correct hazmat packaging, markings, and shipping papers prepared by trained personnel. Alliance Chemical has operated as a hazmat chemical distributor since 1998, serving over 50,000 customers from our warehouse at 204 S Edmond St, Taylor, Texas. Product and shipping guidance on this page is reviewed by Andre Taki, DOT Hazmat Specialist.
