Identification
Name		tert-Butylhydroquinone
Synonyms		Butylhydroquinone; TBHQ; 2-tert-Butylhydroquinone; 2-(1,1-Dimethylethyl)-1,4-benzenediol
Molecular Structure
Molecular Formula		C10H14O2
Molecular Weight		166.22
CAS Registry Number		1948-33-0
EINECS		217-752-2

In foods, TBHQ is used as a preservative for unsaturated vegetable oils and many edible animal fats. It does not cause discoloration even in the presence of iron, and does not change flavor or odor of the material to which it is added.^[1] It can be combined with other preservatives such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). As a food additive, its E number is E319. It is added to a wide range of foods, with the highest limit (1 gram/kg) permitted for frozen fish and fish products. Its primary advantage is extending storage life.

Other

In perfumery, it is used as a fixative to lower the evaporation rate and improve stability.

It is used industrially as a stabilizer to inhibit autopolymerization of organic peroxides.

It is used as an antioxidant in biodiesel.

It is also added to varnishes, lacquers, resins, and oil-field additives.