tert-Butyl acetate
[CAS# 540-88-5]

Identification

• Classification: Chemical reagent >> Organic reagent >> Ester >> Butyl ester compound
• Name: tert-Butyl acetate
• Synonyms: Acetic acid 1,1-dimethylethyl ester
• Molecular Formula: C₆H₁₂O₂
• Molecular Weight: 116.16
• CAS Registry Number: 540-88-5
• EC Number: 208-760-7
• SMILES: CC(=O)OC(C)(C)C

Properties

• Density: 0.9±0.1 g/cm³ Calc.^*, 0.863 g/mL (Expl.)
• Melting point: -62 °C (Expl.)
• Boiling point: 98.0±8.0 °C 760 mmHg (Calc.)^*, 97 - 98 °C (Expl.)
• Flash point: 15.6 °C (Calc.)^*, -15.6 °C (Expl.)
• Solubility: water: Insoluble (Expl.)
• Index of refraction: 1.397 (Calc.)^*, 1.386 (Expl.)

^* Calculated using Advanced Chemistry Development (ACD/Labs) Software.

Safety Data

• Hazard Symbols: GHS02 Danger
• Risk Statements: H225
• Safety Statements: P210-P233-P240-P241-P242-P243-P280-P303+P361+P353-P370+P378-P403+P235-P501

Hazard Classification

Hazard	Class	Category Code	Hazard Statement
Flammable liquids	Flam. Liq.	2	H225
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	4	H332
Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure	STOT SE	3	H335
Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure	STOT SE	3	H336
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	4	H312
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	4	H302

• Transport Information: UN 1123

Discovery and Applications

tert-Butyl acetate is an organic ester with the molecular formula C₆H₁₂O₂. Structurally, it consists of a tert-butyl group (–C(CH₃)₃) linked to an acetyl group via an ester bond (–COO–). The molecule is a colorless, flammable liquid with a characteristic fruity odor, low viscosity, and moderate volatility. It is soluble in most organic solvents but has limited solubility in water due to its bulky hydrophobic tert-butyl group.

tert-Butyl acetate is primarily used as a solvent in coatings, paints, and inks due to its ability to dissolve a wide range of resins and polymers while evaporating at a controlled rate. Its high volatility and low polarity make it suitable for fast-drying formulations and industrial applications requiring rapid solvent removal.

The compound is also employed as a reactive intermediate in organic synthesis. Its ester functionality allows for hydrolysis, transesterification, and nucleophilic substitution reactions, making it useful in the preparation of tert-butyl derivatives, acetates, and other functionalized compounds. In particular, tert-butyl esters are often used as protecting groups for carboxylic acids in multistep synthesis because they can be selectively removed under mildly acidic conditions.

Synthetically, tert-butyl acetate is typically prepared by the esterification of acetic acid with tert-butanol in the presence of acid catalysts. Alternative methods include the reaction of tert-butyl alcohol with acetic anhydride or acetyl chloride. Handling requires standard precautions for flammable liquids, as it is highly combustible and can form explosive mixtures with air.

Overall, tert-butyl acetate is a versatile ester widely used as a solvent and synthetic intermediate. Its combination of a bulky hydrophobic tert-butyl group and a reactive acetate moiety provides both chemical stability and reactivity, making it valuable in coatings, industrial applications, and organic synthesis.

References

2025. Elucidation and Prevention of an Unexpected Methylamine Byproduct Formed During Trifluoroacetic Acid-Mediated Side Chain Deprotection of Azido-Containing Peptides. International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics, 31(1).
DOI: 10.1007/s10989-025-10726-x

2024. Structural aspects of HIV-1 integrase inhibitors: SAR studies and synthetic strategies. Molecular Diversity.
DOI: 10.1007/s11030-024-11068-4