4-tert-Butylcatechol (TBC) is an organic chemical compound which is a derivative of catechol. It is added as a stabilizer and an inhibitor of polymerization to butadiene, styrene, vinyl acetate and other reactive monomer streams. It is 25 times better than hydroquinone at 60°C for polymerization inhibitory effect. Also used as a stabilizer in the manufacture of polyurethane foam. It also can be used as an antioxidant for synthetic rubber, polymers and oil derivatives. It can be used as purification agent for aminoformate catalysts. TBC is available in a form of a solid crystal and 85% solution in methanol or water.

The product is 25 times more effective than hydroquinone at 60ºC. It is a highly effective inhibitor for distillation or storage of olefins, especially for styrene, butadiene, chlorobutadiene, isoprene and other monomers. It is also used for vinyl chloride, vinyl pyridine, -olefin, nonene, cyclopentadiene, isoprene, acrylic acid, methacrylate and its esters, olefin chloride, polyurethane, etc. It is also used as an antioxidant in polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polychlorobutadiene, synthetic rubber and nylon, as well as an antioxidant in oil and its derivatives, ethyl cellulose, lubricating oil, caprolactam, maleic anhydride, tin and other compounds with metal soaps. In addition, it can also be used as passivator for polyurethane catalyst, insecticide and stabilizer for various organic compounds.